News Focus
- Club executives Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox will recommend Carrick to Sir Jim Ratcliffe this week
- The 44-year-old has guided United from seventh to third place in the Premier League table
- Carrick has won 10 matches and lost only twice since replacing Ruben Amorim in January
- United have earned 33 points under Carrick – the highest total in the league during that period
- Alternative targets Thomas Tuchel and Luis Enrique have decided to stay at their current clubs
Senior officials at Manchester United plan to appoint Michael Carrick as the club’s permanent manager. Chief executive Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox believe the former midfielder is the right person to lead the team.
The duo will present their recommendation to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club’s minority shareholder, during the coming days. If Ratcliffe agrees, the club will open formal talks with Carrick immediately.
Carrick has served as caretaker boss since Ruben Amorim was dismissed in January 2026. The 44-year-old has transformed United’s season, securing qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Under his leadership, the team has climbed from seventh position to third in the Premier League. The squad has collected 33 points from 15 matches since Carrick took charge on 13 January. No other club in England’s top division has achieved more points during this time.
The interim manager has won 10 games and suffered just two defeats. His tenure began with four consecutive victories against strong opponents including Manchester City and Arsenal. After a seven-match unbeaten run ended in March, Carrick guided his side to important wins against Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool.
The club originally intended to delay their decision until the summer. However, Carrick’s excellent results and his positive influence behind the scenes have convinced the board to act now.
Several United players have publicly called for Carrick to receive the job permanently. They have praised his commitment to youth development and his long-term vision for the squad. The former England international has also participated in discussions about new signings.
The club had considered other candidates, including England manager Thomas Tuchel and Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique. Both have chosen to remain in their current positions.
This marks Carrick’s second spell as temporary manager at Old Trafford. He previously took charge of three matches in 2021 following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure.
United will conclude their 2025-26 campaign with a home fixture against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, 17 May. They will then travel to Brighton for their final match on 24 May.