Michael Carrick has agreed to return to Manchester United as interim head coach, with former England assistant manager Steve Holland set to join him as his assistant, according to sources close to the club.
The appointment comes after United dismissed Ruben Amorim on January 5 following a disappointing 14-month tenure. Carrick reached an agreement with club officials late on Monday night, and an official announcement is expected on Tuesday once final paperwork is completed.
Carrick, 44, will take charge of his first match this weekend, when Manchester United host Manchester City in a high-profile Premier League derby at Old Trafford.
Carrick Returns to the United Dugout
A former Manchester United and England midfielder, Carrick is no stranger to the Old Trafford dugout. He previously served as United’s temporary manager in 2021, overseeing a three-game spell after the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Following Amorim’s departure, Darren Fletcher acted as caretaker manager for two matches against Burnley and Brighton. Fletcher is now set to return to his role within United’s academy setup, working with the Under-18s.
Carrick held face-to-face talks with United executives last Thursday, where he reportedly impressed chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox with his tactical vision and leadership approach.
Steve Holland Brings Elite Coaching Experience
Carrick’s backroom team will be bolstered by Steve Holland, a highly respected coach with extensive experience at both club and international level.
Holland, 55, previously served as Gareth Southgate’s assistant with England, playing a key role in the national team’s run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and Euro 2021 and Euro 2024 finals.
At club level, Holland enjoyed significant success at Chelsea, working under Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, and Rafael Benitez, and was widely praised for his tactical acumen and work on the training ground.
More recently, Holland was appointed head coach of Yokohama F Marinos, but his spell in Japan ended in April after just four months in charge.
New Coaching Staff at Old Trafford
Carrick’s coaching team will also include:
- Jonathan Woodgate, who previously worked with Carrick at Middlesbrough and managed the club between 2019 and 2020
- Jonny Evans, the former Manchester United defender, who will return to Old Trafford in a coaching role
- Travis Binnion, who is already part of United’s coaching structure
Woodgate also has close ties to United’s leadership, having been a teammate of Jason Wilcox at Leeds United.
Tactical Shift Under Carrick
Carrick is expected to implement a 4-2-3-1 formation, marking a clear tactical shift away from the three-at-the-back system used by Amorim.
United officials believe Carrick’s more hands-on coaching style makes him better suited to the interim role than other candidates, including Solskjaer, who also held talks with the club.
The immediate focus will be stabilising performances, restoring confidence, and preparing the squad for a demanding run of fixtures during the second half of the season.
Key Context
- Manchester United sacked Ruben Amorim on January 5, 2026
- Darren Fletcher managed two games as caretaker
- Carrick previously managed United on an interim basis in 2021
- First match in charge: Manchester United vs Manchester City
- Steve Holland joins after England and Chelsea coaching success
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