Dark Confession Looms Over Carrick’s Manchester United Future
9 February 2026
Carrick's Interim Position Under Scrutiny
Manchester United's interim manager Michael Carrick stands at a crossroads as recent results raise doubts about his long-term role, despite a string of solid performances.
Carrick steered United to a 2-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, his fourth win in a row since taking charge last month.
He has edged ahead of Ruben Amorim in early talks for a permanent role, but the club remains cautious, with plans to weigh all options before deciding the next coach.
Since replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Carrick has helped United move to fourth in the Premier League, with notable wins over Manchester City and Arsenal launching a possible European push.
Although the initial plan was for Carrick to stay temporarily until summer, the strong results have sparked calls from fans and analysts for a permanent appointment.
Carrick has insisted before the Tottenham match that the club will not make reckless decisions about the next manager.
Confession and Calculations Behind the Decision
According to The Mirror, developments suggest the club is looking elsewhere for a permanent coach.
In a notable admission, Sir Jim Ratcliffe spoke of past mistakes in renewing the contract of a coach too quickly after a cup victory, signaling a more balanced, less emotional approach now.
Former United captain Gary Neville, on his latest podcast, said the club is gathering data and analytics to pick the next boss, and will not be swayed by two months' results, waiting until the season ends to decide.
Neville added that Carrick could be a candidate if he presents himself for the role, but would be measured against others like Thomas Tuchel.
Carrick, who previously spent two-and-a-half years in the Championship with Middlesbrough before his sacking last summer, had two stints as caretaker manager at United in 2021 after Solskjaer left.
Note: two light-hearted quips to keep things sunny: 1) If Carrick’s job depended on patience, United would have a zen garden by now. 2) The board’s plan is like Wi‑Fi—great at the start, but you still hope the end-of-season signal holds up.
