In a move to steady a ship in turbulent waters, Manchester United have officially appointed former midfielder and club legend Michael Carrick as interim manager today, Tuesday, 13 January 2026.
Carrick, 44, takes the reins at Old Trafford until the end of the 2025/2026 season, following the sacking of Ruben Amorim on January 5. He succeeds Darren Fletcher, who served as caretaker for the last two matches, a draw against Burnley and an FA Cup exit at the hands of Brighton.
Carrick is not arriving alone. The club has moved swiftly to bolster its backroom team with experienced hands to navigate the final 17 matches of the Premier League season:
Steve Holland, the former England assistant and Yokohama F Marinos manager, joins as Carrick’s primary deputy while Jonathan Woodgate is reuniting with Carrick after their successful stint at Middlesbrough. As Darren Fletcher reverts to his previous role with the Under-18s but remains available for tactical consultation.
The appointment marks the third time Manchester United has changed leadership in just over a year, following the underwhelming 14-month tenure of Ruben Amorim.
The decision to hire Carrick over other candidates, including a rumored return for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, stems from his “hands-on” tactical approach.
Notably, Ruben Amorim was dismissed shortly after a pointed press conference where he insisted he was a “manager, not a head coach,” signaling a breakdown in relations with Director of Football Jason Wilcox.
Carrick is expected to ditch Amorim’s controversial back-three formation in favor of a more traditional 4-2-3-1 system, which the hierarchy believes better suits the current squad.
Carrick’s first assignment is arguably the toughest in world football: the Manchester Derby against City this Saturday.
Across viewing centers in Lagos and Abuja, the news has sparked a mix of nostalgia and skepticism. While many “Red Devils” fans remember Carrick’s unbeaten three-game stint in 2021, others are concerned that the club is once again “recycling” former players instead of hiring a world-class permanent successor like Xabi Alonso (who recently left Real Madrid).
“Carrick knows the DNA of the club. After the chaos under Amorim, we need a steady hand who won’t fight the board in public. But if he loses to City on Saturday, the honeymoon will be over before it starts.” – Segun, Man Utd Fan, Surulere.
