Manchester United have turned a crucial page in their storied history, as Michael Carrick has officially been appointed interim manager, with the club confirming the deal on January 13, 2026. The 44-year-old former United midfielder steps in following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, who was sacked after 14 months in charge and a disappointing 1-1 draw at Leeds, not to mention a series of public outbursts that ruffled feathers among club officials. Carrick’s arrival at Carrington on Tuesday morning was met with anticipation and a flurry of activity, as the final touches were put to his contract and the new coaching team assembled to greet players after a two-day break.
Joining Carrick is Steve Holland, the highly respected 55-year-old coach who served as Gareth Southgate’s right-hand man throughout England’s recent era of international resurgence. Holland, who was also a key figure at Chelsea during some of the club’s most successful years, will serve as Carrick’s assistant. His tactical acumen and experience at the highest level are expected to be invaluable as United look to steady the ship and push for European qualification.
Completing the new-look backroom team are Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans, and Travis Binnion. Woodgate, who worked under Carrick at Middlesbrough and shares a long-standing connection with United’s director of football Jason Wilcox, brings both coaching experience and a checkered past. Notably, Woodgate’s early playing career was marred by involvement in a 2001 assault case, an episode that still draws attention despite his subsequent redemption as a coach. Jonny Evans, a former United defender who retired after the 2024-25 season and briefly left his role as head of loans and pathways, has been persuaded by Carrick to return to the fold. Binnion, who has steadily climbed the coaching ranks at United since 2019, rounds out the staff, providing continuity and expertise from his time leading the club’s youth sides.
The timing of Carrick’s appointment is critical. With United sitting seventh in the Premier League table and the Champions League places still within reach, the club’s senior leadership views this as a golden opportunity to salvage the season. The minimum target, set last summer, remains a top-six finish, but with the right momentum, hopes are high for a late surge into the top four. Carrick’s first test comes in the most daunting of circumstances: the Manchester derby at Old Trafford against City on January 17. That clash will be followed swiftly by another heavyweight encounter at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on January 25, setting a high-stakes tone for Carrick’s early tenure.
Amid the managerial upheaval, the squad faces its own challenges. Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo, both recently eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations, are back in contention for selection, giving Carrick a timely boost in attacking options. However, Noussair Mazraoui remains with Morocco at the tournament and will miss the derby, though he is expected to return in time for the Arsenal fixture. The winter transfer window remains open until February 2, but it’s unclear whether Carrick will have funds to strengthen the squad—central midfield remains a glaring area of concern.
Carrick’s appointment follows a competitive selection process. Club officials, including chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, held face-to-face talks with both Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. According to sources, both men impressed with their vision for the team, but Carrick’s hands-on coaching style and recent success at Middlesbrough ultimately tipped the scales. As one insider noted, "United were ultimately swayed by Carrick, who is expected to take training for the first time on Wednesday barring any unforeseen issues."
Carrick is no stranger to the Old Trafford dugout. He previously served as caretaker manager in 2021, guiding United through a turbulent period following Solskjaer’s departure and before the arrival of Ralf Rangnick. As a player, Carrick was a lynchpin in United’s midfield, winning five Premier League titles before retiring in 2018. His managerial credentials were further burnished at Middlesbrough, where he steered the club from the Championship relegation zone to the play-offs in his first season and reached the League Cup semi-finals the following year, despite ultimately being sacked last summer after a tenth-place finish.
Steve Holland’s addition to the staff brings both pedigree and intrigue. Having worked under Southgate during England’s runs to fourth place at the 2018 World Cup and runners-up at Euro 2021 and 2024, Holland is widely credited with much of the tactical development that underpinned England’s success. Southgate himself often highlighted Holland’s influence behind the scenes: "Southgate would regularly credit him with much of the England team’s development and that partnership was at the heart of that England era." Yet, Holland’s career has not been without controversy. During the 2022 Qatar World Cup, he reportedly fell out with Arsenal’s Ben White, leading to White’s abrupt departure from the England camp and subsequent refusal to join the Euro 2024 squad. While Holland’s recent stint as manager of Yokohama F Marinos in Japan was brief—he was sacked after just four months—his reputation as a shrewd reader of the game remains intact.
The return of Darren Fletcher to the under-18s coaching role also marks a full-circle moment. Fletcher had stepped in as caretaker manager for two matches after Amorim’s sacking, overseeing a 2-2 draw at Burnley and a narrow FA Cup defeat to Brighton. United’s leadership values his contribution and sees his continued development with the youth sides as vital for the club’s long-term future.
As Carrick and his team take the reins, the mood at Carrington is one of cautious optimism. The new interim boss has already impressed during his interview process and is eager to implement his preferred 4-2-3-1 system, a departure from Amorim’s three-at-the-back approach that failed to yield consistent results. With the Manchester derby looming, all eyes are on Carrick to see if he can galvanize a talented but underperforming squad and reignite United’s push for Champions League football.
With training set to begin under Carrick’s guidance on Wednesday, the next chapter for Manchester United is underway. The stakes couldn’t be higher, but for a club accustomed to drama and glory in equal measure, the coming weeks promise plenty of both. Supporters, staff, and players alike will be watching closely as Carrick and his new backroom team set out to restore pride and purpose at Old Trafford.
