A breakfast meeting between Sir Alex Ferguson, Jason Wilcox, and Omar Berrada two days after Ruben Amorim was let go has paved the way for Michael Carrick, a former star at Manchester United, to return as the club’s new head coach, a decision confirmed on Tuesday night. His mission? To guide the team towards stability and success for the remainder of the season.
Wilcox, the director of football, and CEO Berrada ended Amorim’s 14-month tenure on January 5, following a disappointing 1-1 draw with Leeds United. After appointing under-18 coach Darren Fletcher as interim for two matches, they sought a more seasoned candidate to lead until the summer, ultimately selecting Carrick, who enjoyed a glorious 12-year playing career at United, winning five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy.
Wilcox and Berrada short-listed Carrick alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy for the role. Even after minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe ended Ferguson’s £2 million-a-year ambassador role at Old Trafford in October 2024, they consulted Ferguson at the training ground for his thoughts on the coaching search.
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“Omar and Jason consulted Sir Alex,” a source told ESPN. “They met for breakfast to discuss three candidates who had all played under him. Some may criticize this approach, but Sir Alex knows Michael, Ole, and Ruud better than anyone, so he was consulted for his opinion.”
While United sources have not confirmed whether Ferguson directly endorsed Carrick, an outside source mentioned that the 84-year-old expressed strong support for Carrick’s appointment.
Wilcox first reached out to Carrick, Solskjaer, and Van Nistelrooy on Tuesday, just a day after Amorim’s departure. All three candidates were given thorough discussions about their plans to rejuvenate the team’s season. Carrick and Solskjaer had in-person meetings with Wilcox and Berrada, while Van Nistelrooy participated via video call due to his existing rapport with the duo, stemming from his prior coaching role under Erik ten Hag.
With half a season left and United seeking European qualification, Wilcox and Berrada decided on an interim coach for the season’s remainder to provide ample time for a more permanent solution in the summer.
‘Someone who knew and understood the club’
The choice to appoint a former player and coach stemmed from a desire to “bring in someone who knew and understood the club to minimize the adjustment period,” according to a source. Those in the know remarked that all three candidates impressed Wilcox and Berrada, but ultimately, Carrick was the unanimous favorite.
“Each brought valuable insights and presented well, but Michael really stood out,” a club source noted. “He is a clever young coach, unphased by the club’s stature, and possesses the right blend of leadership, authority, and adaptability for the role.”
Carrick’s hands-on coaching style played to his advantage as well; during his time as an assistant coach under Solskjaer, he was popular and well-respected within the squad. Sources indicated that the competition between Carrick and Solskjaer was particularly close, especially after Solskjaer learned on Tuesday that he would not return to the role he previously held for three seasons.
“Ole accepted the decision gracefully,” a United source commented. “Jason informed both Ole and Ruud on Tuesday morning. All three candidates were exceptional individuals, but ultimately Michael was preferred by the club.”
Carrick, who has been enjoying some golf and working as a TV analyst since concluding his tenure at EFL Championship side Middlesbrough, will lead his first training session on Wednesday ahead of the Manchester derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday. He will be joined by coaches Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans, Travis Binnion, and Steve Holland, who previously served as Gareth Southgate’s assistant with the England national team.
Holland was brought on board after Carrick and Wilcox recognized the need for a coach with high-level experience. Though known for being demanding, Holland garnered respect during his tenure, having worked with big names at Chelsea, and has an ability to push players hard while still fostering a supportive environment.
Despite being relatively unknown to both Carrick and Wilcox, a United insider shared that the club’s England internationals were enthusiastic about Holland’s addition to the staff. Though the coaching staff has been revamped, the onus for results will rest firmly on Carrick’s shoulders.
Carrick may appear quiet and unassuming, but he possesses a tough side, evident in past decisions at United. During his brief stint as interim coach in 2021, he boldly benched both Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo.
By dropping Fernandes for a Champions League match against Villarreal in his debut game, which ended in a 2-0 win, and relegating Ronaldo to the bench during a 1-1 draw against Chelsea, Carrick exhibited the decisiveness necessary to effect change. His final match victory over Arsenal saw him opting out of Ralf Rangnick’s staff out of loyalty to Solskjaer, despite Rangnick wanting him to remain.
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Carrick’s approach is low-key. Upon signing for United from Tottenham in 2006, just months after Roy Keane’s controversial exit, he confidently accepted the pressure of wearing the iconic number 16 shirt, where others might have hesitated. During Louis van Gaal’s era, he, alongside Wayne Rooney, addressed concerns about the manager’s challenging style and repetitive training, urging him to allow the squad more freedom.
“The players were tired of Van Gaal’s tactics, so Michael and Wayne told him to ease up,” said a source familiar with the situation. “Van Gaal respected their candidness, but while he made some adjustments, it didn’t last long.”
By firmly benching both Fernandes and Ronaldo, as well as confronting Van Gaal, Carrick demonstrated the resilience needed for his new role, which will be essential for revitalizing United and steering them toward Champions League qualification.
Should he succeed, fans may call for Carrick’s permanent appointment, although no commitments have been made. Nevertheless, the challenge is formidable; United has managed just one win in their last seven fixtures, and his initial matches include City at home and Arsenal away.
For someone who once remarked that he’d trade his football career for a shot at being a Formula One driver, Carrick might feel he’s been handed the keys to a high-performance car in taking the United job.
Currently, though, things aren’t running smoothly. With flat tires and inadequate oil, Carrick is in the driver’s seat, tasked with tuning everything up in the next four months and steering the team in the right direction.