Manchester United’s Managerial Shift: Carrick’s Impact and Future Prospects

omidbasir- Manchester United appears to have turned a corner following the club’s recent struggles, which included hitting a 111-year low.

In early 2026, Ruben Amorim was relieved of his coaching duties as consistent performances and results became elusive. Darren Fletcher was subsequently appointed as caretaker manager, having risen from his position within the U18 ranks. However, Fletcher’s tenure began with a disappointing draw against Burnley and an FA Cup exit to Brighton, leaving the Red Devils without any domestic or European knockout competitions for the 2025-26 season.

Michael Carrick, who previously served as an assistant at Old Trafford alongside José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has returned to his familiar surroundings after a stint as head coach of Championship side Middlesbrough. Under his guidance, United has secured two significant victories, propelling the team into the Premier League’s top four and reigniting a sense of positivity and optimism among fans at the ‘Theatre of Dreams.’ Yet, former club captain Roy Keane cautions that discussions of a permanent managerial role for Carrick may be premature.

Following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, Keane expressed on Sky Sports: “Even if United wins every game until the season’s end, I still wouldn’t give him the job. They need a more experienced manager. It’s as simple as that.”

Former United defender Gary Neville echoed these sentiments, suggesting that while Carrick should continue in his role until season’s end, a more established manager, such as Thomas Tuchel or Carlo Ancelotti, would be better suited for the long-term task of leading the club back to its former glory.

Rio Ferdinand, a six-time Premier League champion with United, expressed his disbelief at such opinions on his podcast. He praised Carrick’s immediate impact, stating: “He has structured the team effectively, making them competitive against top rivals like Manchester City and Arsenal. It’s astonishing that people are dismissing his contributions without consideration.”

Wayne Rooney, United’s all-time leading goalscorer, also voiced support for Carrick, noting on Match of the Day 2: “Carrick has a chance to demonstrate his capability, and if he continues to deliver strong results, the pressure on the board to appoint him permanently will intensify. This situation feels different from previous managerial appointments.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjær, a celebrated figure after leading the club to a treble victory in 1999, initially took over from Mourinho in 2018 on an interim basis and later signed a long-term contract. Unfortunately, he could not secure the club’s first Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. The current ownership group, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, recognizes the necessity of making a prudent decision regarding the next managerial appointment to restore stability and continuity to a club eager to return to trophy contention.