How Michael Carrick impressed Jason Wilcox

Michael Carrick is officially the interim manager at Manchester United.

Having most recently managed Middlesborough until the summer of 2025, Carrick replaces Ruben Amorim who was sacked earlier this month.

Carrick is no stranger to the role, having taken over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021.

Whilst that interim spell was only three games long, Carrick now has the rest of the season to show what he can do and put his stamp on the first-team.

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer had been heavily linked to a return to the dugout, but instead lost out on the job to Carrick.

Manchester Evening News have reported that despite talks between Solskjaer and director of football Jason Wilcox, Carrick soon became the preferred candidate.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, who also had an interim spell as manager, was also considered.

It is said that Carrick’s experience and skill set would suit United more for their final 17 games.

The former United midfielder is set to be joined by Steve Holland, Jonny Evans, Jonathan Woodgate and Travis Binnion.

Although neither Wilcox nor Carrick had worked with Holland, there was a feeling by the United hierarchy that his wide-ranging experience and his skill set would be beneficial to the task at hand.

Michael Carrick has far from the easiest task going into his first game in the role, as they face Manchester City at home before an away fixture against Arsenal.

Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United await Carrick afterwards, as he faces a tough start to life as United’s caretaker manager.

Currently residing in seventh place in the Premier League table, Man United are just three points behind fourth place Liverpool.

With a record low 40 total games in 2025/26, a lack of cup competitions should give United a helping hand in their quest to secure UEFA Champions League football.