Manchester United, currently seventh in the English Premier League, have reached a final agreement with their former midfielder, Michael Carrick, to take over as interim manager until the end of the season. This move comes as the club's management attempts to salvage what they can from a season marked by numerous managerial and tactical upheavals, according to reliable press reports on Tuesday.
Cameras captured Carrick arriving at the team's training ground in Carrington, ahead of the official announcement of his appointment expected later today. Old Trafford fans are counting on Carrick's vast experience and deep knowledge of the club, having previously had a brief but successful stint as interim manager in 2021 following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. During that time, he led the team through three difficult matches without a single defeat, leaving a positive impression of his leadership abilities.
A distinguished career and past challenges
The 44-year-old manager boasts a rich history within the club, having won 12 major trophies during his 12-year playing career with United. As a coach, Carrick gained valuable experience with Middlesbrough, beginning in October 2012, where he demonstrated his tactical acumen, guiding the team to the Premier League play-offs in his first season. Despite being sacked last June after finishing tenth in the Championship, his time there provided him with tactical insights he now seeks to implement in the Premier League.
Context of the current crisis at Old Trafford
Carrick's appointment comes at a critical time, as the Red Devils sacked Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim last week after just 14 months in charge. This was followed by a brief interim period under Scot Darren Fletcher, who failed to turn things around, drawing 2-2 with lowly Burnley in the league and then suffering a painful 2-1 defeat to Brighton that knocked them out of the FA Cup. The club had also been in talks with Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before ultimately settling on Carrick.
An opportunity to focus on the league
One of the statistical ironies of this season is that United's early exit from both domestic competitions (the League Cup and the FA Cup) in the first round, coupled with their absence from European competitions, means the team will only play 40 matches this season – the fewest the club has played since the 1914-15 season. This situation could give Carrick more time on the training grounds to implement his ideas and reorganize the squad without the pressure of consecutive matches.
Qualification calculations and the derby test
United, 20-time English champions, currently sit seventh, but their hopes remain alive, as they are just three points adrift of the top four Champions League qualification places and one point behind fifth-placed Brentford. Finishing in the top four is the ultimate goal to guarantee a return to the Champions League, although fifth place could potentially be enough thanks to the English club's UEFA club coefficient ranking.
Carrick will face a tough test at the start of his tenure, as United host their neighbor and traditional rival Manchester City, the defending champions, next Saturday in a highly anticipated derby match that is likely to be Carrick's first appearance at the helm of the coaching staff, placing a huge responsibility on him to restore the team's prestige in front of its fans.
