Manchester United are expected to officially announce Michael Carrick as the club’s interim manager within the next 48 hours, according to Daily Mail Sport. The former midfielder was reportedly in Manchester this week finalizing an agreement that will see him take charge at Old Trafford for the remainder of the season following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.

Discussions are now believed to be focused on assembling Carrick’s backroom staff, with the final details still being worked out. Because of these ongoing negotiations, an official announcement is unlikely to come immediately. Nevertheless, the hope is that Carrick and his coaching team will be in place to lead the players’ first training session on Wednesday, following a two-day break.

Both Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were interviewed by club officials after Amorim’s departure, but it is understood that Carrick impressed enough to edge ahead in the race for the caretaker position. His appointment effectively surpasses Solskjaer, who had been considered a potential candidate, and Darren Fletcher, who has temporarily overseen the squad in recent fixtures. Fletcher’s interim spell included a 2-2 draw at Burnley and a disappointing home defeat in the FA Cup against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Carrick, now 44, has a long history with Manchester United both as a player and coach. During his playing career, he won five Premier League titles and was widely regarded as one of the club’s most intelligent midfielders. He retired in 2018 and has since transitioned into coaching, including a short caretaker role at United after Solskjaer’s departure and before Ralf Rangnick’s arrival. He also gained managerial experience at Middlesbrough, where he achieved notable success. In his first season at Boro, Carrick guided the team from the relegation zone to the playoff positions, and in the following campaign, he led them to the semi-finals of the League Cup. Despite this early promise, he was dismissed after finishing 10th in the league during his second season.

The urgency for United to qualify for European competition this season cannot be overstated. Following the FA Cup exit to Brighton, Fletcher admitted that the players had much work to do to redeem themselves. He noted that while the fans’ reactions were vocal, they were not hostile, and emphasized that the Premier League still offered plenty to play for. “This team is still good enough to achieve success this season, but they have to dig deep,” Fletcher said. “The fans weren’t happy at the end, but they have every right to air their grievances. If the players respond correctly, the supporters will get behind them like they always do.”

Currently, Manchester United sit seventh in the Premier League standings, just three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool. Their next match is a high-profile clash against city rivals Manchester City, making a strong start under Carrick particularly important. It is hoped that his calm, methodical approach and experience both on the field and in coaching will stabilize a team that has struggled for consistency this season.

Carrick’s managerial style emphasizes structured, possession-based football with a focus on building from the back and maintaining balance between defense, midfield, and attack. These qualities, combined with his intimate knowledge of the club’s culture and players, make him a natural choice to steady United during a transitional period. While his tenure will initially be temporary, Carrick’s appointment represents an opportunity for the club to finish the season strongly, rebuild morale, and potentially lay the groundwork for a longer-term managerial solution.