Manchester United have confirmed Michael Carrick as permanent manager, with the deal expected to run until June 2028 and include an option for a further year.
Michael Carrick announced as permanent manager for Manchester United follows a run of 11 wins from his first 16 games in charge, securing Champions League qualification
The official announcement comes before the final Premier League match against Brighton on Sunday.
Carrick has received strong backing from Manchester United players, including senior figures and younger members of the squad.
Carrick's 2026 Premier League Record
Michael Carrick’s interim spell changed the direction of Manchester United’s season after the sacking of Ruben Amorin. Manchester United were outside the Champions League places when he took over in January, but a run of strong results against rivals and top-half opponents pushed the team back into the top four and then into third.
Carrick’s first Premier League match after taking charge was a 2-0 win over Manchester City at Old Trafford on 17 January 2026, with Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu scoring in the second half. The result was widely viewed as the beginning of the turnaround.
United then beat Arsenal 3-2 away on 25 January, Fulham 3-2 on 1 February and Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 on 7 February, completing four straight wins at the beginning of Carrick’s league run.
Michael Carrick has won 11 of his 16 games in charge as Manchester United’s caretaker manager, guiding the team back into the Champions League.
Of the 16 games, Manchester united scored 30 goals and conceeded 18.
Stand out performances include goals from Šeško (7), Cunha (6) and Casemiro (5). Bruno Fernandes also equalled the record for most Premier League assists, with one game remaining.
Date | Opponent | Result | United scorers | Position |
17 Jan 2026 | Manchester City | W 2–0 | Mbeumo 65', Dorgu 76' | 5th |
25 Jan 2026 | Arsenal | W 3–2 | Mbeumo 37', Dorgu 50', Cunha 87' | 4th |
1 Feb 2026 | Fulham | W 3–2 | Casemiro 19', Cunha 56', Šeško 90+4' | 4th |
7 Feb 2026 | Tottenham Hotspur | W 2–0 | Mbeumo 38', Fernandes 81' | 4th |
10 Feb 2026 | West Ham United | D 1–1 | Šeško 90+6' | 4th |
23 Feb 2026 | Everton | W 1–0 | Šeško 71' | 4th |
1 Mar 2026 | Crystal Palace | W 2–1 | Fernandes 57' pen, Šeško 65' | 3rd |
4 Mar 2026 | Newcastle United | L 1–2 | Casemiro 45+9' | 3rd |
15 Mar 2026 | Aston Villa | W 3–1 | Casemiro 53', Cunha 71', Šeško 81' | 3rd |
20 Mar 2026 | Bournemouth | D 2–2 | Fernandes 61' pen, Hill 71' o.g. | 3rd |
13 Apr 2026 | Leeds United | L 1–2 | Casemiro 69' | 3rd |
18 Apr 2026 | Chelsea | W 1–0 | Cunha 43' | 3rd |
27 Apr 2026 | Brentford | W 2–1 | Casemiro 11', Šeško 43' | 3rd |
3 May 2026 | Liverpool | W 3–2 | Cunha 6', Šeško 14', Mainoo 77' | 3rd |
9 May 2026 | Sunderland | D 0–0 | — | 3rd |
17 May 2026 | Nottingham Forest | W 3–2 | Shaw 5', Cunha 55', Mbeumo 76' | 3rd |
Strong Player Support for Carrick
United's captain, Brunoi Fernandes said:
I think Michael [Carrick] came in with the right ideas of giving the players the responsibility, but also some freedom to take the responsibility on the pitch during the decisions that are needed.
He's very good with the words and I think he still remembers when I told him last time he was our manager, for our last game, and I was sure Michael could be a great manager and now he is showing it.
Benjamin Sesko also publicly backed Carrick:
I've said this many times, he's an amazing coach. He's brought different energy and also the way we're doing the training is unbelievable. I would like to have him here.
Kobbie Mainoo expressed that players want to “die for” Carrick, highlighting the strong support and commitment the team has towards him as their manager.
Carrick's statement
Carrying the responsibility of leading our special football club fills me with immense pride.
Throughout the past five months, this group of players have shown they can reach the standards of resilience, togetherness and determination that we demand here.
Now it’s time to move forward together again, with ambition and a clear sense of purpose. Manchester United and our incredible supporters deserve to be challenging for the biggest honours again.
Carrick’s route back to Manchester United
Carrick played for Manchester United from 2006 to 2018, becoming a key United midfielder in Sir Alex Ferguson’s team. His honours included Premier League titles, the 2008 Champions League, the FA Cup, League Cups and Community Shields, before he was named club captain in his final season.
After retirement, Carrick joined United’s coaching staff and later had a short spell as caretaker manager in late 2021. During that three-match reign as caretaker manager of Manchester United, Michael Carrick recorded two wins and one draw, including a victory against Arsenal and a draw with Chelsea.
Carrick became Middlesbrough head coach in October 2022. He made an immediate impact in the Championship, guiding Middlesbrough to a fourth-place finish and the play-off semi-finals after winning 16 of his first 23 games in charge.
