Manchester United appear to have settled on a familiar face to steady the ship, with reports indicating that Michael Carrick has been spotted at the club’s training facilities ahead of an official announcement expected tomorrow morning.
The development signals a decisive move by INEOS to appoint Carrick as interim manager following another turbulent chapter at Old Trafford.
The former United midfielder is set to take temporary charge of the first team until the conclusion of the season, marking his second stint as caretaker boss.
His return comes after club officials explored the possibility of bringing back Ole Gunnar Solskjær, only for that option to collapse due to resistance from within the dressing room.
Several senior players are understood to have raised concerns about Solskjær’s suitability, ultimately influencing the hierarchy’s final decision.
Solskjær, who managed United between 2018 and 2021, had been widely tipped to replace the recently dismissed Ruben Amorim. He reportedly underwent two separate interviews for the role and was initially seen as the frontrunner.
However, sources close to the club claim that a number of players privately expressed doubts about revisiting that era, instead backing Carrick as the more credible option to guide the team through the remainder of the campaign.
Carrick’s appointment is expected to be formally confirmed within the next 24 hours after a selection process led by chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.
The 44-year-old is anticipated to oversee his first training session imminently as preparations begin for a high-stakes return to action.
His first match in charge is set to be a daunting one, with Manchester United scheduled to face city rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford this weekend.
The challenge awaiting Carrick is significant.
United have managed just one win in their last seven outings across all competitions, and confidence among supporters has been badly shaken.
Restoring belief, structure, and stability will be immediate priorities for the interim coach.
This will not be Carrick’s first experience in the hot seat. He previously stepped in as caretaker manager following Solskjær’s initial departure, overseeing three matches.
During that brief spell, United recorded two victories and a draw before Carrick handed over control to Ralf Rangnick, who was appointed interim manager shortly afterwards.
His calm demeanor and tactical clarity during that period earned praise from both players and fans.
Carrick has been without a club since leaving Middlesbrough in June. During his time at the Championship side, he guided Boro to the play-offs in the 2022–23 season, where they were narrowly eliminated by Coventry City in the semi-finals.
In the following campaigns, Middlesbrough came close to securing top-six finishes but ultimately fell short, a run of near-misses that culminated in Carrick’s departure.
As a player, Carrick’s legacy at Manchester United is unquestionable.
He made 464 appearances for the club, winning 18 major honors, including the Champions League in 2008.
After retiring at the end of the 2017–18 season, he immediately transitioned into coaching, joining José Mourinho’s backroom staff.
Now, with United once again in crisis, Carrick has been handed the responsibility of steadying a club searching desperately for direction.
Whether this short-term appointment can calm the storm remains to be seen, but his return underlines just how familiar Old Trafford has become with emergency solutions in difficult times.
