Manchester United has decided to appoint Michael Carrick as head coach until the end of the season. And this is a choice carefully considered by the club's leadership and Football Director Jason Wilcox, instead of a betting option.
When Ruben Amorim was sacked last week, people close to the Portuguese strategist said he was really surprised and had many difficulties faced with the huge pressure at Old Trafford. Amorim once admitted to friends that he could hardly fully prepare or anticipate the specific challenges when taking on the role of Man United's head coach.
Man United's leadership does not want to repeat similar mistakes. That is why the list of candidates for the position of interim head coach are all former players who understand the club well, have experienced pressure and harsh expectations here. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Carrick are typical names.
The goal of the "Red Devils" is to find someone brave enough to feel comfortable in an environment full of scrutiny, where the stage lights are always bright and the mood of fans is still heavy with disappointment and nostalgia for the golden age. Carrick fully meets those criteria.
He was a central factor in the club's resounding success under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning five Premier League titles, one Champions League, one Europa League, one FA Cup, two League Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup. After retiring, Carrick began his coaching career right at Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho, and had short periods of temporary power before and after the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era.
Therefore, Man United's leadership believes that Carrick will not be overwhelmed when returning to a harsh environment that he understands better than anyone else.
In fact, M.U does not want to change coaches mid-season. However, the series of poor results and serious cracks in the relationship between Amorim and the board of directors have forced the club to act.
Many people question why Man United did not immediately appoint a big name. But the reality is that their appeal has decreased significantly compared to a decade ago. No European Cup spot, limited budget and the ongoing comprehensive restructuring process make this position no longer an ideal destination for top coaches.
In that context, postponing the long-term decision to the summer - when the coach market becomes wider - is a pragmatic choice. The issue is who will be most suitable to steer the team for the rest of the season, while bringing maximum opportunities to compete for a European Cup spot in the 2026-2027 season.
The answer, according to internal consensus, is Carrick. Experience, tactical thinking and especially the ability to start work immediately without incurring compensation costs are key factors.
Another important point lies in Carrick's familiarity with the power structure at Old Trafford. Jason Wilcox wants to work closely with the head coach in building philosophy, strategy and personnel selection. Major differences in views, along with Amorim's lack of flexibility in this matter, are said to be the direct cause of the sacking decision.
Carrick has clearly shown his willingness to work in Man United's current system. He made a strong impression in the interview process thanks to his leadership ability, understanding of the available force, as well as his experience of effective cooperation with Football Director Kieran Scott at Middlesbrough.
Although sometimes criticized for lacking tactical flexibility, Carrick remains loyal to the philosophy of controlling the ball and controlling the game. This is consistent with the football orientation that Wilcox wants to build for Man United in this transition period.
