Michael Carrick Favored for Manchester United Caretaker Role

Michael Carrick Favored for Manchester United Caretaker Role

Michael Carrick Favored for Manchester United Caretaker Role

Michael Carrick has emerged as the leading candidate to be appointed as the caretaker head coach of Manchester United, according to sources familiar with the ongoing process.

The club's management aims to finalize the appointment before players return to training on Wednesday.

While a definitive decision has yet to be made, discussions with the 44-year-old have reportedly advanced regarding the position.

Carrick previously served as United's temporary manager for three matches following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021, achieving two wins and one draw before stepping down after Ralf Rangnick took over as interim manager.

Meanwhile, Solskjaer engaged in face-to-face talks with the club on Saturday regarding a potential return.

United parted ways with manager Ruben Amorim on January 5 after 14 months in charge. Following Amorim's exit, former United and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher was initially assigned temporary oversight of first-team affairs.

United faced an FA Cup third-round defeat against Brighton on Sunday, which is likely to mark Fletcher's second and final match in charge, having previously led the team to a draw against struggling Burnley in the Premier League last Wednesday.

Former England midfielder Carrick played 464 matches for United across all competitions from 2006 to 2018, after being signed from Tottenham by Sir Alex Ferguson.

He has been without a managerial role since his dismissal from Championship club Middlesbrough in June, following a two-and-a-half-year tenure. Carrick led Middlesbrough to the Championship play-offs in the 2022-23 season, only to be eliminated by Coventry in the semi-finals. His team narrowly missed the top six in consecutive campaigns, contributing to his departure.

Born in Wallsend, Carrick's managerial experience does not match that of Solskjaer, as he has held only one permanent position with Middlesbrough. After retiring from his illustrious playing career at Old Trafford, Carrick joined Jose Mourinho's coaching staff at Manchester United at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season and remained a first-team coach throughout Solskjaer's 168-game tenure.

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