Michael Carrick has agreed to return to Manchester United as interim head coach, with former England assistant manager Steve Holland expected to join him as his assistant in a newly assembled short-term coaching team at Old Trafford.
Carrick finalised terms on Monday evening, with an official announcement anticipated on Tuesday once contractual formalities are completed. The 44-year-old steps in following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim earlier this month, after a 14-month spell in charge. Darren Fletcher has overseen the side on a caretaker basis for the two fixtures since Amorim’s departure.
Carrick will take charge from the touchline for Saturday’s Premier League derby against Manchester City, marking his second spell as United’s interim manager. He previously held a brief three-match stint in late 2021 following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s exit.
Holland’s proposed appointment brings significant international and elite-level experience to the interim setup. The 55-year-old worked closely with Gareth Southgate during England’s run to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and finals of Euro 2021 and Euro 2024. Prior to that, he spent several successful years at Chelsea under multiple managers, contributing to sustained domestic and European success. His most recent role, a short-lived managerial spell at Yokohama F Marinos, ended in April after four months.
Carrick’s wider coaching staff is expected to include Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion. Woodgate previously worked alongside Carrick at Middlesbrough and has managerial experience with both Boro and Bournemouth. He also shares a long-standing connection with United’s director of football Jason Wilcox, having played together at Leeds United.
Evans, a former United defender, is set to return to the club in a coaching capacity, while Binnion will remain in place as part of the existing academy and first-team coaching structure.
Carrick held face-to-face discussions with United’s senior leadership last Thursday and is understood to have impressed chief executive Omar Berrada and Wilcox with his clarity of thought and long-term vision. Tactically, he is expected to implement a 4-2-3-1 system, moving away from the three-at-the-back approach favoured by Amorim.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has both played for and managed United, was also considered and held talks with the club. However, Carrick ultimately emerged as the preferred choice, with United valuing his hands-on coaching style and recent experience working closely with players on the training ground.
Fletcher, who took charge of the Premier League matches against Burnley and Brighton, will return to his role with the Under-18s. The club continue to view him as an important part of their long-term coaching structure, with the decision described as a mutual agreement aimed at supporting his ongoing development.
