Manchester United’s search for a manager until the end of the season is coming to a close, per multiple reports, with former midfielder and assistant manager Michael Carrick cited as the favorite to take
over for former teammate, Darren Fletcher.
Laurie Whitwell wrote for The Athletic on Monday that Carrick was in pole position for the job after nearly a week of interviews by club exploring solutions. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was approached as well as Ruud van Nistelrooy, who served as interim manager after the departure of Erik ten Hag.
Carrick served as assistant manager alongside Kieran McKenna during Solskjaer’s tenure, and it was speculated that he could return in the same role until reports at the weekend suggested it would be one or the other.
Carrick was most recently manager of Middlesbrough. He took the reins nearly a year after leaving United, in October of 2022, and led the Championship club for three years before he was sacked in June of 2025 after a 10th-place finish. When he took over, Boro were in 21st with just 17 points from 16 games. He won 16 of his first 23 matches and guided the club to a playoff spot, losing to Coventry City in the semi-finals. His second season ended in an 8th-place finish.
