Carrick Lifts Man United with Three Wins, Eyes Season End

Manchester United have named Michael Carrick as head coach until the end of the season. The 44-year-old former player stepped in after the club sacked Ruben Amorim last week. Carrick's side now sits fourth in the Premier League after three straight wins, including victories over Manchester City, Arsenal, and Fulham. He takes charge ahead of a home game against Tottenham on Saturday.

Background

Carrick knows Manchester United well. He played 464 games for the club from 2006 to 2018. During that time, he won the Champions League in 2008 and five Premier League titles. After retiring, he joined the coaching staff right away. He worked under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

This is not his first time in temporary charge at Old Trafford. Back in November 2021, he stepped in as caretaker after Solskjaer left. He managed three games then: wins over Villarreal and Arsenal, plus a draw with Chelsea. In one key move, he left Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for the Chelsea match.

Carrick left the United staff after Ralf Rangnick took over as interim boss. In October 2022, he became manager at Middlesbrough. There, he led the team to the playoffs in 2023 and the Carabao Cup semifinals in 2024. Middlesbrough finished 10th in the Championship last season, which led to his sacking in June 2025.

United confirmed Carrick's new role on Tuesday. He met with club CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox last week. Those talks sealed the deal. Carrick beat out Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy for the job. Darren Fletcher, who handled the two games before Carrick, now returns to the under-18s team.

Carrick starts training the first team on Wednesday. His assistants include former England No. 2 Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Travis Binnion, and Jonny Evans.

Key Details

Carrick's impact has been quick. His first three games brought three wins. United beat Manchester City 2-0 at Old Trafford. Then they won 3-2 away at Arsenal, the league leaders. Most recently, they took a 3-2 home win over Fulham. These results moved United up to fourth place, three points from the top four at the time of his appointment, now firmly in the Champions League spots.

The team sits just ahead of the Manchester derby win that kicked off his run. Fans have noticed the lift in mood. Players seem more committed on the pitch.

Upcoming Fixtures

Carrick's next test comes Saturday against Tottenham, who sit 14th. Spurs have struggled this season. A win there would make it four in a row. After that, United face more tough games. The schedule stays busy through the end of the season. With so much left to play for, every match counts toward a strong finish.

"Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honor," Carrick said. "I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club."

Carrick has praised the players' effort. He works with many he coached before. Bruno Fernandes has stood out under him. The captain provides key assists and drives the attack.

"To be honest, every player has performed very well and is fully committed," Carrick said at a press conference. "We are aware of the bigger picture and what might happen, but you have to focus on what lies ahead and try to do your best right now."

He sees no issues with focus despite the interim tag. The group gives full effort each day.

What This Means

Carrick's start changes things at United. The three wins have pushed them into fourth. A top-four spot means Champions League football next season. That would help with player signings and revenue. The club now has momentum after Amorim's 14 months ended.

United plan to pick a permanent head coach in the summer. No timeline exists for that yet. Carrick knows his role ends with this season. Odds on his long-term stay have shifted, but the club eyes other names. A shortlist includes ambitious choices to take over.

Players respond well to Carrick's style. He makes bold calls and gets results. His hands-on approach fits what United needs now. The fans back him after the early success. Loyalty at Old Trafford runs deep, especially for club legends.

Building on these wins tests the squad. Consistency matters over 15 or so games left. Injuries, form dips, or cup runs could shift things. Carrick aims to pull everyone together. He wants performances that match fan support.

United sit in a good spot. Fourth place brings hope. The run against top teams shows promise. Carrick's belief in the players runs strong. He says the group can hit high standards. Time will show if they hold the line to May.