Manchester United are set to announce Michael Carrick as their new caretaker manager on Tuesday and could soon sign the former midfielder in January. The 44-year-old has been in talks with United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, and it looks like he will lead the Red Devils until the end of the season. Carrick has agreed to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager until the end of the season.
Carrick’s appointment is expected to be officially announced on Tuesday. Darren Fletcher, who has managed two games since manager Ruben Amorim was sacked last Monday, is expected to join the coaching team. Former Real Madrid defender and Boro first-team coach Jonathan Woodgate could also be part of Carrick’s staff. Carrick is scheduled to hold his first training session on Wednesday when the team returns from a two-day break. His immediate task will be to prepare the team for Saturday’s game against Manchester City.
United are likely to invest in Carrick in the January transfer window with a focus on strengthening their midfield. The Guardian reports that Al Hilal’s Ruben Neves (formerly of Wolves and Porto) has been identified as a possible recruit for the Red Devils, with an estimated value of around £20 million.
Neves, 28, scored Al Hilal’s third goal in the Saudi Pro League win against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nasr on Monday. His contract with the Middle Eastern club is due to expire this summer, and United could land a bargain deal this month.
Carrick took charge of United for three games as interim manager in November and December 2021 following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking. He remained unbeaten during this period, leading his team to a 2-0 win against Villarreal in the Champions League group stage, a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Premier League, and a 3-2 league victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford.
The former United and England midfielder left his role when Ralf Rangnick was appointed caretaker manager until the end of the season. Carrick then took over as manager of Middlesbrough in October 2022, where he spent approximately three years, achieving a record of 63 wins and 24 draws in 136 games.
While playing for United from 2006 to 2018, Carrick enjoyed a trophy-filled career, winning 10 major honours, including five Premier League titles and one Champions League title.
United, who were recently knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton, will next face City in the Premier League this weekend, before playing away to Arsenal and then at home to Fulham.
