A day after Xabi Alonso leaves Real Madrid, Man Utd appoint new manager

Manchester United have agreed terms with Michael Carrick who relieves Darren Fletcher as caretaker manager until the end of the season.

The move will hopefully bring some stability to United, who parted ways with Ruben Antorim last week. Carrick takes over from Darren Fletcher who stepped in on a temporary basis to oversee the team’s last two games against Burnley in the Premier League and Brighton in the FA Cup. Fletcher will return to his previous post, coaching the Under-18s.

Carrick knows the inner workings at Old Trafford

Carrick, 44, knows the club inside out. He spent 12 successful seasons at Old Trafford as a player - winning numerous titles including five leagues and the Champions League. After retiring in 2018, he went into coaching - remaining at the club to join Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff. He briefly took over when Mourinho was sacked in December 2018 before becoming part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom team.

He found himself in the same position three years later when Solskjaer departed. Carrick took the reins on an interim basis in November 2021 and was on the bench for three games, including victories against Villarreal in the Champions League and Arsenal.

Former players interviewed for the job

Carrick was one of the candidates United turned to after terminating Amorim’s contract. Solskjaer was also in the running but CEO Omar Berrada and Director of Football Jason Wilcox decided against bringing the Norwegian back for a second tenure.

The club is finalizing the terms of the agreement with the understanding that Carrick will act as caretaker manager until the end of the season. With a demanding start - his first game in charge will be against City at home on Saturday.

Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion will form part of Carrick’s coaching staff.

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