Manchester United has turned to a familiar face to stabilize the first team following the unexpected departure of manager Rob Edwards, effective January 5th.The appointment of Michael Carrick as interim manager through the end of the season marks the club’s second managerial change of the current campaign,following a recent FA Cup upset [[1]]. Carrick, a key figure during the club’s most triumphant era, now faces the challenge of lifting United’s performance in both the Premier League and cup competitions.
Manchester United Turns to Michael Carrick as Interim Manager Following Rob Edwards’ Dismissal
Manchester United has appointed former player Michael Carrick, 44, as interim manager of the first team through the end of the season, the club announced January 5, 2026. The move comes after the dismissal of manager Rob Edwards after just 14 months in the role. Darren Fletcher, a former Manchester United and Scotland midfielder, had been serving as interim manager in the interim.
United recently suffered a defeat in the third round of the FA Cup against Brighton, a match widely considered to be Fletcher’s second and final match in charge. He had previously overseen a draw against struggling Burnley in the Premier League. Carrick, a former England international midfielder, made 464 appearances for Manchester United across all competitions between 2006 and 2018, having been signed by Sir Alex Ferguson from Tottenham.
Following his retirement as a player at Old Trafford, Carrick immediately joined José Mourinho’s coaching staff at Manchester United at the end of the 2017-2018 season. He previously managed Manchester United on an interim basis for three matches following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjær in 2021, securing two wins and a draw before departing upon the arrival of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager.
Carrick is reportedly well-regarded by both the Manchester United players and the Ineos management team overseeing football operations at Old Trafford. The question now turns to whether his managerial record is sufficient to lead the Red Devils forward.
Carrick’s first professional managerial role came in 2022 with Middlesbrough, where he took charge at the age of 41. Upon arrival at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough sat 21st in the English Championship table. Carrick’s impact was immediate, accumulating 40 points from his first 17 matches and lifting his team up the standings.
Middlesbrough finished the season in fourth place, losing to Coventry in the Championship play-off semi-finals. It was a notable climb, generating significant expectations for Carrick’s future as a manager.
However, the team’s form declined in his second season, with Middlesbrough finishing eighth in the Championship after a disappointing second half of the campaign. The 2024/25 season saw further struggles, as Middlesbrough again failed to reach the playoffs, finishing 10th in the table. Shortly thereafter, in early June, Carrick was relieved of his duties, replaced by Rob Edwards.
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