Updated: 22 May 2026 11:37 BST |
4 min read
Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Michael Carrick as the club’s permanent manager following a highly successful stint as interim boss.
Carrick took over in January following the sacking of Ruben Amorim and guided the Red Devils to third place in the Premier League, offering the club a route back to Champions League football next season.
The Old Trafford club were eager not to rush into appointing a manager on a permanent basis but have been left impressed with the former England midfielder, who has signed a deal that expires in 2028.
Carrick, who will carry the job title head coach, told the club’s official website: “From the moment that I arrived here 20 years ago, I felt the magic of Manchester United.
“Carrying the responsibility of leading our special football club fills me with immense pride.
“Throughout the past five months, this group of players have shown they can reach the standards of resilience, togetherness and determination that we demand here.
“Now it’s time to move forward together again, with ambition and a clear sense of purpose. Manchester United and our incredible supporters deserve to be challenging for the biggest honours again.”
Man Utd DNA is helping Carrick shine
Since arriving at Old Trafford on an interim basis, Carrick had adopted a refreshingly long-term view to the role, showing a strong understanding of what it means to be a Manchester United manager.
“There are parts of it – and I am not being blasé when I say it – that I have known for so long,” he told Sky Sports. “The pressure is something I have lived with for a long time.
“What’s expected here, how to go about achieving things, the amount of support we have, and the scrutiny is something that becomes normal after a while.
“It does not feel as big as it probably looks from the outside for me personally.”
But while he adopted a positive outlook, he never publicly pushed for a quick resolution to his situation from the Manchester United board.
Asked in that same interview if he thought he could be the first English manager to win the Premier League, he replied:
“I’d love that to be the case. We had a manager here for quite a period of time who was definitely not English but hugely successful. If it got to the stage and that was me, that would be amazing
“That’s got to be the goal at some point for this football club, to be back to winning league titles. It is where we want to be.”
Carrick has earned his chance
Ultimately, it’s been Man Utd’s on-field performance that has landed him the job.
Director of football Jason Wilcox confirmed: “Michael has thoroughly earned the opportunity to continue leading our men’s team. In the time he has been doing the role, we have seen positive results on the pitch, but more than that, an approach which aligns with the club’s values, traditions and history.
“Michael’s achievements in leading the club back to the Champions League should not be understated. He has forged a strong bond with the players and can be proud of the winning culture at Carrington and in the dressing room, which we are continuing to build.”
Carrick has steered his side to 11 wins from 16 matches, with Man Utd picking up more points than any other club in the Premier League during his brief stewardship.
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