Sir Alex Ferguson highly recommends him and the locker room supports him; Carrick returns to "firefighting" Manchester United after 5 years

Written by Han Bing In the early hours of January 14th Beijing time, Manchester United confirmed Carrick as the interim manager. Having resigned from the "firefighting coach" position on December 2, 2021, Carrick is back after five years, with a longer term lasting until the season’s end. Compared to Solskjaer, who volunteered last week and was considered a candidate to take over Manchester United again, Carrick, also a loyal Red Devil, has prior coaching experience at the club. Moreover, this time he received strong endorsement from Ferguson and broader support from players in the dressing room.

Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough, responsible for selecting the "firefighting coach," interviewed Carrick last Thursday and Solskjaer last Saturday. Although Solskjaer initially won media and public favor, Carrick’s interview impressed the two top executives more. Ferguson’s strong recommendation also influenced the club’s decision. According to British media, some players opposed Solskjaer’s return, whereas Carrick gained more backing within the squad.

It is worth noting that during Solskjaer’s tenure from 2018 to 2021, Carrick led the team’s daily training sessions and was regarded by some as the true core of Manchester United’s coaching staff at that time. Since taking over as Middlesbrough’s head coach in October 2022, Carrick has been actively managing for nearly three years. He guided Middlesbrough to the Championship playoffs (2022/23 season) and the League Cup semifinals (2023/24 season) before being dismissed in June 2025. In contrast, Solskjaer has only eight months of coaching experience in the past four years, having managed Turkish giants Besiktas for 29 matches last year before being abruptly fired in late August.

Carrick arrived in Manchester on Monday local time, with negotiations lasting late into the night, finally agreeing on a six-month contract and coaching staff composition. England’s former head coach Southgate’s assistant Holland will serve as the chief assistant. Woodgate, who worked with Carrick at Middlesbrough from 2022 to 2025, along with Bennion (Manchester United U21 head coach) and Evans, who joined interim coach Fletcher on January 6, will continue under Carrick’s leadership. British media expect Carrick to lead his first training session on Wednesday, with the Manchester derby against City at home this weekend marking his debut as Manchester United’s "firefighting coach."

The entire Manchester United club holds a very positive impression of Carrick. Ferguson wrote in his autobiography: “He has a certain nonchalant aura that causes people to underestimate his value and character.” Gary Neville also emphasized, “People might not understand his quiet, reserved passion for Manchester United.” As a player, Carrick was part of the "team committee" and, though taciturn, once led a push to advise coach Van Gaal to improve his rigid training methods—a stubborn Van Gaal eventually accepted the advice.

When Carrick was first appointed as Manchester United’s "firefighting coach" five years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo praised him highly: “I personally feel honored to have played alongside him and proud of him as our coach.” Staff memories are warm as well: Carrick and Giggs often invited ordinary Manchester United employees out for team-building after the season to share in the team’s success, always ensuring everyone got home safely afterward. Additionally, Carrick is passionate about Manchester United’s community initiatives and is highly regarded by local fans.

Although Carrick’s return has received unanimous support within Manchester United, as The Guardian analyzed, he must avoid repeating the mistakes of Amorim, especially regarding his stubbornness over tactical formations during his time at Middlesbrough and his lack of adaptability during matches.

Carrick is known for his possession-based attacking football philosophy but lacks timely and necessary tactical adjustments. Several Championship opposing coaches have hinted that Carrick’s Middlesbrough tactics were “too predictable.” Sunderland’s head coach Leblanc, after defeating Middlesbrough twice this season, proudly explained how easily he countered Middlesbrough’s rarely altered tactics. Millwall’s coach also openly stated after a 1-0 win against Middlesbrough: “Carrick has his tactical ideas, but his formation and style of play lack variation.”

When leaving Manchester United in 2018, Mourinho left Carrick his old whistle and a pack of painkillers. Carrick has carried these gifts with him at Middlesbrough, and now that he has the chance to restart at Manchester United, which whistle will he blow to begin a new chapter for himself and the club?