Michael Carrick Returns As Manchester United Caretaker Manager Until June

‎Michael Carrick has appointed Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate to roles on his Manchester United coaching staff.

‎Carrick was confirmed on Tuesday night as interim manager through the end of the season, with four positions on his backroom team already filled.

‎Holland previously served as Gareth Southgate’s assistant with England and most recently managed Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, who dismissed him last April. Woodgate previously worked with Carrick at Middlesbrough and had managerial stints there and at Bournemouth.

‎On the staff, alongside Darren Fletcher, are Travis Binnion, promoted from under-21s lead coach, and Jonny Evans.

‎Michael Carrick beat Ole Gunnar Solskjær to the interim role after face-to-face interviews with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox. Although Solskjær was initially the club’s top choice to return, Carrick’s interview performance changed the hierarchy’s mind.

‎He is now tasked with securing a European place for United with 17 Premier League matches left.

‎United have no other fixtures after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton on Sunday. Carrick’s first game could hardly be more of an examination: the visit of their local rivals, Manchester City, to Old Trafford on Saturday.

‎Carrick arrived following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal earlier this month. Fletcher had stepped up from under-18s coach to lead the first team for the Premier League draw with Burnley and the Cup loss to Brighton, but the baton now passed to his former United midfield partner.

‎Fletcher was offered a first-team role under Carrick but has decided to focus on the under-18s.

‎Carrick managed United for three games after Solskjær’s sacking in November 2021. He went on to become Middlesbrough’s head coach from October 2022 to June 2025 and reached the Championship playoffs in his first season before finishing eighth, then 10th, and being let go.

‎He enjoyed a remarkable 12-year spell at Old Trafford, winning five Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Europa League, the FA Cup, and three League Cups after joining from Tottenham in 2006.