Manchester United officially announces Carrick as head coach, revealing the identities of the five coaching staff! The new manager unveils tactical plans.

On Tuesday evening, Manchester United officially confirmed Michael Carrick as the first team head coach, with a contract lasting until the end of this season. Notably, the 44-year-old legend’s title does not include the word "interim." Carrick’s coaching team will include Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Travis Binnion, Jonny Evans, and Craig Mawson. Darren Fletcher has returned to the Manchester United youth setup to continue as the head coach of the under-18 squad.

Holland, a former England assistant coach, has no prior connection with Carrick and was selected by the club as an assistant. He spent nine years as a first-team coach at Chelsea before assisting Southgate with the national team for eight years. Manchester United believes his experience will be a tremendous asset.

The 55-year-old Holland thrives in chaotic environments. During his time at Stamford Bridge, he served under six different Chelsea managers, three of whom—Di Matteo, Benítez, and Hiddink—were interim coaches appointed mid-season, similar to Carrick’s situation.

Carrick commented, "I’m very pleased to have Steve’s support. He has extensive experience in managing coaching changes at a top club like Chelsea, which is incredibly valuable."

Former England international Woodgate is Carrick’s trusted assistant, having built a strong working relationship with him during their time at Middlesbrough. Notably, Woodgate was also teammates with Manchester United sporting director Jason Wilcox at Leeds United.

Manchester United legend Evans returned during Fletcher’s tenure; he originally served as the youth liaison officer but resigned midway through this season. Binnion is the U21 head coach and joined the first team coaching staff during Fletcher’s interim spell. Mawson has consistently been the club’s goalkeeping coach.

Carrick added, "Jonathan is the perfect partner who constantly challenges me, and that dynamic will continue. Travis ensures we maintain a close connection with the youth system, providing a clear pathway for young players to understand its significance. Manchester United has always prioritized youth development and discovering new talents. Jonny is a close friend whose values I respect deeply, and he possesses profound knowledge of the club, having held various roles here. He brings valuable experience to share with the players. This coaching team balances diverse personalities, knowledge, and expertise very well. I’m very satisfied with the team as we prepare to begin our work."

Wilcox stated, "Michael is an outstanding coach who clearly understands what it takes to win at Manchester United. He is ready to lead our talented and determined squad through the remainder of this season, helping the club achieve sustained success."

Carrick continued, "It’s an honor to take on the responsibility of leading Manchester United. I know what it takes to succeed here, and my focus now is to help the players meet the high standards expected at this great club. I believe the team is fully capable. I’ve worked with some of these players before and have closely followed the team’s progress in recent years. I have complete faith in their talent, dedication, and ability to succeed. We have many goals to pursue this season, and we want to unite everyone to deliver the brilliant performances our fans deserve for their unwavering support."

After Rúben Amorim was dismissed following criticism of the club, Wilcox confirmed the strategy of appointing a club legend to finish the season, with a permanent manager to be hired in the summer. According to him, this decision was carefully considered. In December 2021, Manchester United appointed German "godfather" Ralf Rangnick as interim manager despite his lack of Premier League experience, which ended unsuccessfully. Therefore, Wilcox believes choosing someone deeply familiar with the club reduces risks in adapting and shortens the integration period.

Carrick earned unanimous approval from Manchester United’s leadership for his excellent teamwork skills. The club’s management also appreciates his deep understanding of the team’s situation. It is said that Sir Alex Ferguson also supports Carrick’s capabilities.

In contrast, Solskjær’s coaching style worked against him; he excelled at motivating players mentally, while Carrick and Kieran McKenna handled daily training during his tenure. The current management wants a hands-on, full-time coach. They were also displeased with Solskjær’s pre-interview publicity emphasizing his love for the club and indifference to money.

Compared to that, Carrick is more low-key and pragmatic. Thus, after a face-to-face meeting with the club on Thursday, Carrick became the ideal candidate in the eyes of Manchester United’s executives. Another candidate, Van Nistelrooy, withdrew early and did not attend a formal interview.

Returning to Carrington, Carrick emphasized that although he mainly uses a 4-2-3-1 formation, he will adopt flexible tactical arrangements. "Undoubtedly, we want to win matches. There are many ways to achieve that. Different scenarios arise during games, and sometimes you have to adopt specific styles. For me, I enjoy working with players to improve their individual abilities, hoping to help the whole team progress. I will continue to support them. I am one of them; we are all closely connected. I believe it’s very important that everyone here cares for and supports each other."

Carrick boldly promises to deliver exciting matches for fans. "I know that ultimately everything depends on the results. Hopefully, Manchester United can play brilliant football, showing a positive fighting spirit and providing thrilling moments for the audience. I truly hope the fans in the stands will be anxious and breathless! I want to enjoy watching the kids play and jump with excitement at their goals. Of course, good results are essential too. I feel passionate about this and can’t wait to get started and see what we can achieve."

Having played for Manchester United for 12 years, Carrick said he does not feel overwhelmed by the pressure of coaching the club because it is his dream. "I am also a Manchester United fan myself. Believe me, so is my family. I know the responsibility I carry and really hope for good results. Walking through that door again and becoming part of the club once more feels incredible. Manchester United has long been part of my life and has never truly left it."

"When I go to work, I feel a pleasant nervousness. I sense the care among everyone and the determination to move together in the right direction. Honestly, this feeling is very natural and normal. I understand the demands of this job and the responsibilities that come with it. This is a large football club, and it’s my favorite club. Moments of success bring joy, and disappointments can be frustrating, but that’s precisely why striving for success is so meaningful."

Before his dismissal, Amorim publicly expressed distrust in Manchester United’s youth system. Carrick’s arrival could be good news for rising Red Devils stars like Cody Meno.

Carrick clearly stated his support for youth development: "I strongly back focusing on youth training. Every young player should be given opportunities, and whether they seize them depends on themselves. I have always supported this approach. It aligns with the club’s long-standing principles and what fans want to see—the freshness, the pure spirit. So I fully support helping young talents and providing chances. I absolutely endorse this because it’s what should be done here."

Currently ranked 7th in the Premier League, Carrick has 17 matches to achieve his goals. The team missed out on European competition this season and was eliminated early from domestic cups. The main objective now is to qualify for the Champions League. However, the 44-year-old Carrick faces a hellish start with the first two games at home against Manchester City and away at Arsenal, facing the top two teams in the standings!

Carrick said, "These important matches are what we all strive for. Some games are more challenging than others, but we will face them head-on. Old Trafford is truly a magical place, right? It’s always filled with mystery that brings endless possibilities."

Manchester United players were still on break on Tuesday but will return to Carrington on Wednesday morning to prepare for Saturday’s Manchester Derby with new coach Carrick. He is not afraid of failure; his first match managing Middlesbrough was a 1-2 loss to Preston, but he then led the team to 16 wins in 23 games.