Michael Carrick Set for Second Spell as Man United Interim Manager

Manchester United are widely expected to name Michael Carrick as their interim manager until the end of the season.

Darren Fletcher is currently occupying the role following the sacking of Ruben Amorim on January 5.

Amorim was sacked after recording the lowest win rate of any permanent Man United boss since 1972.

The Portuguese oversaw just 24 victories in 63 games in charge. Amorim is thought to have been paid around £9.63 million in compensation by Man United.

That pay-out means United’s estimated total spend on sacking managers during the Premier League era now stands at £62.03m.

Darren Fletcher’s poor start as Man United interim manager

Fletcher has so far struggled to resurrect United’s fortunes during his brief stint in charge.

The Scot oversaw a 2-2 draw away at Burnley in the Premier League last week, before his United side lost 2-1 at home to Brighton in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.

The defeat by Brighton ensured Man United will play just 40 matches this season — the club’s shortest campaign since 1914/15.

Of those 40 games, just 17 remain — starting with a derby clash with Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Despite losing to Brighton, United’s first-team players have been given some time off.

They are not due to return to training until Wednesday, with United expected to have confirmed by then who will be in charge for the remainder of the campaign.

Michael Carrick emerges as first choice to lead Man United until May

Fletcher was a candidate to continue, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also been considered. However, it is now understood that Carrick has emerged as the first choice to steer the ship until at least 24 May.

United chiefs were reluctant to rush into hiring a permanent replacement for Amorim.

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner remains Man United’s top target for a summer appointment, but it is believed that Carrick will also be given a chance to prove himself worthy of consideration.

Carrick (pictured above playing for United against Barcelona in the 2009 Champions League final) has performed the role of interim manager at Old Trafford once before.

He held the position for three games following the departure of Solskjaer in November 2021, recording two wins and a draw.

His first game in charge was a 2-0 away win over Villarreal in the Champions League. Then came a 1-1 draw at Chelsea, before United beat Arsenal 3-2 in Carrick’s only home match.

Michael Carrick’s previous record as Man United interim manager

Games	Wins	Draws	Losses	Win %
3	2	1	0	66.67%

Carrick’s win percentage as a United boss is therefore a very healthy 66.67%.

More recently, he won 46.32% of 136 matches as manager of Middlesbrough, where he was employed from October 2022 to June 2025.

United have held interviews with both Solskjaer and Carrick in recent days, with the latter believed to have impressed the most.