Manchester United have turned to Michael Carrick as interim manager – after some senior stars rejected the return of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Carrick will take charge until the end of the season for what will be his second stint at the helm. Solskjaer had been favourite to replace the sacked Ruben Amorim, and was interviewed twice for the role.
But he was ruled out when some players went to club bosses and told them they didn’t want Solskjaer to come back. It’s understood the players made it clear they had little confidence in Solskjaer, and wanted Carrick to lead them for the remainder of the season.
Carrick will take charge until the end of the season for what will be his second stint at the helm. Solskjaer had been favourite to replace the sacked Ruben Amorim, and was interviewed twice for the role.
But he was ruled out when some players went to club bosses and told them they didn’t want Solskjaer to come back. It’s understood the players made it clear they had little confidence in Solskjaer, and wanted Carrick to lead them for the remainder of the season.
United legend Solskjaer managed the club between 2018 and 2021, before getting sacked after winning 54 per cent of his 168 matches in charge.
Man Utd dressing room’s true thoughts on Michael Carrick becoming next boss emerge
Carrick’s appointment is expected to be confirmed in the next 24 hours following a process led by chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox. It is hoped the 44-year-old will take his first training session on Wednesday, ahead of his first game this weekend when United face a crunch showdown with neighbours Manchester City at Old Trafford.
It promises to be a baptism of fire for Carrick, with United having won just one of their last seven games in all competitions. Carrick previously had a three-game stint as interim boss following Solskjaer’s dismissal.
Carrick led Boro to the Championship play-offs in the 2022-23 campaign, only for them to lose to Coventry in the semi-finals. His side then narrowly missed out on the top six in successive campaigns, resulting in Carrick losing his job.
The former England midfielder made 464 appearances for United and won 18 major trophies, including the Champions League title in 2008. He joined Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff at United after retiring at the end of the 2017-18 season.
And when Mourinho was sacked, Carrick was kept on as a first-team coach throughout Solskjaer’s 168-game reign.
