A source at Manchester United said on Tuesday that the club has reached an agreement in principle with former Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick to take over on an interim basis until the end of the season.
Carrick, also a former United player, will replace Reuben Amorim, who was sacked earlier this month, and faces an immediate and tough test when they take on second-placed Manchester City in a top-of-the-table clash at Old Trafford next Saturday.
The 44-year-old inherited a crisis-ridden squad sitting seventh in the Premier League – 17 points behind leaders Arsenal – and having been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions.
Following their FA Cup exit at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion with a 2-1 home defeat, United are now facing their shortest season since 1914-15, with just 40 games remaining.
This marks a return to familiar territory for Carrick, who previously served as interim manager in 2021 following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. British media reported that Carrick and Solskjaer were vying for the interim job this time around.
Following a turbulent period under Amorim, United turned to Carrick's former teammate and Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher on an interim basis, but he failed to win either of his two matches and also drew 2-2 with struggling Burnley in the league.
Manchester United reach preliminary agreement with Carrick to lead the team until the end of the season
