Image Credit: @brfootball Twitter

After the sacking of Ruben Amorim on January 5th 2026, Manchester United have been in the interim care of former Manchester United midfielder and club legend Darren Fletcher. The Scottish coach only had to manage 2 games while the Man Utd board decided on the next potential candidate to see out the remainder of the 2025/2026 season. Fletcher’s interim run was not one to remember as the Man Utd legend drew his first game in charge against 19th in the league Burnley and then proceeded to get knocked out of the FA Cup against Brighton & Hove Albion. Man Utd are about to experience their shortest ever season since the 1914/15 season since United have been knocked out in the first round of both domestic cup competitions and are not in any European football competitions either. This will either be a huge advantage to the caretaker manager, who may have less work ahead of them only having to focus on the Premier League, or it could be seen as added pressure to the caretaker manager, who only has 17 games to try make sure Man Utd at least qualify for a European competition.

Who is the New Caretaker Manager?

As of January 13th 2026, sources have revealed that Michael Carrick will be announced as the new Caretaker Manager of Manchester United. Since Amorim’s departure, there were 3 names that were at the top of the list of potential caretaker managers until the end of the season. Ole Gunnar Solskjær was the first man to make himself available for the job as the former Beşiktaş J.K. manager had stated in multiple interviews that he would be more than happy to be club manager once again with no questions asked. Reports claim that Solskjær had positive meetings with the club’s higher ups and the Norwegian made it clear that he did not care whether it would be a caretaker role or permanent role and he also did not care about the salary, he just wanted the opportunity to be a Man Utd manager again. The other candidate on the list was the interim manager Darren Fletcher who previously was Man Utd’s under 18s academy coach. Fletcher had the opportunity to show the higher ups what he could offer the club as caretaker manager with the 2 games he had to manage however as previously mentioned, the Scottish coach unfortunately failed to win either of the 2 games so it became clear he was very unlikely to be given the role of caretaker manager. The final candidate was obviously the soon to be announced caretaker manager Michael Carrick. Carrick reportedly had multiple positive meetings with the club in the last week which made him the frontrunner for the job and as we know now, the former Middlesborough manager will see out the rest of Man Utd’s 2025/2026 season campaign.

Their previous Managerial experience?

Michael Carrick’s first managerial opportunity came as Manchester United’s interim manager during the 2021/2022 season following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjær. The Englishman was in charge of Man Utd for 3 games, 1 in the Champions League against Villareal and the other 2 in the Premier League against Chelsea and Arsenal. Man Utd defeated Villareal in a 2-0 victory, saw out a 1-1 draw against Chelsea and achieved an exciting 3-2 victory over Arsenal. That kind of reliability in big games is just what Man Utd will need in their next upcoming fixtures against rivals Manchester City and the previously mentioned Arsenal. Michael Carrick then went on to be manager of Championship side Middlesborough from 2022 until 2025. Carrick’s record during his time at Middlesborough looks like this:

  • Games – 136
  • Wins – 63
  • Draws – 24
  • Defeats – 49
  • Win Percentage – 46.32%
  • Goals Scored – 220
  • Goals Conceded – 177
  • League Finishes – 4th, 8th, 10th
  • English League Cup Semi-Finalists – 2023/24

Who could be the Permanent Manager?

It has become very clear that around June 2026, Man Utd will announce a permanent manager who will take the role of head coach of the club. This is important to note because the reason for Amorim’s departure came from the lack of understanding of his role at the club which resulted in the outburst after the Leeds United game. Manchester United’s higher ups are going to be taking their time this season to find the right man for the job and not repeat the previous mistake of appointing a head coach mid-season. Michael Carrick is a possible candidate depending on his performance with the current Man Utd team this season while Ole Gunnar Solskjær is another name that cannot be ruled out after showing his eagerness to return to the club along with his history of success with the club as manager and as a player. Former Barcelona manager and club legend Xavi Hernández has expressed interest in potentially coaching in the Premier League as well as shown to be keen on the idea of being Head Coach of Man Utd. Crystal Palace manager Olivier Glasner is also a name mentioned as a possible replacement following his recent success with the Eagles in winning the FA Cup and the Community Shield while playing a back 3 system that seemed to be bare more fruit that Ruben Amorim’s. Recently departed Chelsea manager Enzo Mascara is another name that is being thrown around following all his success with Chelsea in his first season despite his recent controversial departure. AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is also a likely candidate thanks to his success with the Cherries despite limited resources.