Carrick takes United's reins

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United has turned to former player Michael Carrick to salvage its imploding season.

Carrick was hired on Tuesday as head coach until the end of the season after Ruben Amorim was fired last week.

The former England midfielder won five Premier League titles and the Champions League during a trophy-laden playing career at Old Trafford. He was also an assistant coach at United, and had an unbeaten three-game spell as interim manager when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was fired in 2021.

On this occasion, Carrick was selected ahead of Solskjaer, who was also interviewed for the role.

"I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing," he said.

By appointing Carrick on a temporary basis, United is giving itself time to find a long-term replacement for Amorim, who became the sixth permanent manager or coach to be discarded by the storied club after more than a decade of decline since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

It is possible Carrick could put himself in contention if he impresses during the 17 remaining games this season. And, while he has only initially been appointed for the short-term, it was notable that United did not describe him as interim when announcing his contract.

A tough start

Carrick's only full-time managerial experience was at second-tier Middlesbrough from 2022-25, where his reign ended after failing to secure promotion to the Premier League.

Former England assistant Steve Holland will be part of his coaching team at United.

Carrick's first two games are tough ones — at home to second-placed Manchester City on Saturday and away to league leader Arsenal the following weekend.

In his previous spell in the United dugout, he oversaw wins against Arsenal and Villarreal, as well as a draw at Chelsea.

His priority is to secure Champions League qualification, after defeat to Brighton in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday put the 20-time English champion on course for a second trophyless season in succession.

United, which was knocked out of the English League Cup by fourth-tier Grimsby Town, is seventh in the Premier League, but Carrick said he had "total belief" in the players.

"There is still a lot to fight for this season, we are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves," he said.

As well as Carrick and Solskjaer, other former United players Darren Fletcher and Ruud van Nistelrooy were considered for the role. Fletcher took charge of United's two games following Amorim's departure — a draw at Burnley in the league and the loss to Brighton. He is expected to return to his role as youth coach.

"The club would like to place on record its gratitude to Darren Fletcher for his leadership during the last week," the club said in its statement.

"Fletcher will remain as lead coach of the under-18s, playing a vital role in developing players ready to perform in a winning Manchester United first team."

In Ferguson's shadow

Amorim was the latest manager to fail to lead United back to the summit of English soccer in the post-Ferguson era, following in the footsteps of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag.

Carrick was a mainstay in one of Ferguson's greatest sides, which won a Premier League and Champions League double in 2008. In all, he won 12 major trophies in 12 years at United and played during Ferguson's final season — the last time United won a Premier League title.

"Michael is an excellent coach and knows exactly what it takes to win at Manchester United," said the club's director of football Jason Wilcox, who led the search for Amorim's replacement.

"He is ready to lead our talented and determined group of players for the remainder of the season as we continue to build the club toward regular and sustained success."

Agencies Via Xinhua