Image source: theguardian.com
Manchester United expect to confirm Michael Carrick as interim manager on Tuesday, with the 44-year-old former midfielder set to take charge following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal and funds available for January transfer targets including Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves.
Michael Carrick Set for Manchester United Interim Role With Transfer Funds Available
The announcement of Carrick’s appointment is scheduled for Tuesday and Darren Fletcher, who has taken charge of two games since Ruben Amorim’s sacking, will be given the opportunity to be part of the coaching team. Carrick pulled ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during the interview process and will lead United for the first time on Wednesday when the players return to training after two days off.
Carrick has identified Jonathan Woodgate as another potential member of his staff, having appointed him as first-team coach when Middlesbrough’s manager in the Championship from 2022-25. In his only number one role, Carrick oversaw 136 matches, winning 63 and losing 49 during his three-year tenure at the Riverside Stadium.
With midfield one of the positions United want to strengthen, Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves is a target. The Portuguese would cost about £20 million and should his acquisition become viable there are funds available for his purchase or for any other player on the club’s transfer wishlist during the January window.
Carrick had a three-game caretaker spell at United in November and December 2021 after Solskjaer’s sacking, remaining unbeaten with a 2-0 Champions League group game win at Villarreal, a 1-1 draw at Chelsea in the Premier League and a 3-2 league victory against Arsenal at Old Trafford. He departed when Ralf Rangnick became interim manager until the end of that season.
His immediate task will be to lift the mood after Sunday’s 2-1 FA Cup third-round defeat by Brighton at Old Trafford, which meant United were eliminated from that competition and the League Cup at the first opportunity for the first time since 1981-82. Carrick’s first match is Saturday’s lunchtime visit of Manchester City for the derby, after which comes a trip to Arsenal, with United currently seventh and three points behind Liverpool in the fourth position that guarantees Champions League qualification.
