caughtoffside
·6 January 2026
Contact made: INEOS make approach for Man United fan favourite over caretaker job

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Yahoo sportscaughtoffside
·6 January 2026

Manchester United have begun the process of appointing a caretaker manager following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, with club legend Michael Carrick emerging as a leading candidate to steady the ship until the end of the season.
Amorim was sacked earlier this week after a toxic spell at Old Trafford, where performances deteriorated and tensions behind the scenes reached boiling point.
While United’s on-pitch struggles played a major role, it was the Portuguese coach’s explosive post-match interview after the 1-1 draw against Leeds United that ultimately forced the club’s hand.
With Amorim gone, the United hierarchy are now moving quickly to install a temporary replacement to prevent further drift in the Premier League table.
According to Ben Jacobs of GiveMeSport, Manchester United have already made contact with Michael Carrick to discuss a potential return as caretaker manager.
The report claims that talks took place on Tuesday, highlighting United’s urgency to restore stability following Amorim’s departure.
It has been previously reported that Carrick would be tempted by the Manchester United job.
However, Carrick is not the only option under consideration. United have also reached out to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is said to be keen on a return and is currently viewed as a strong contender for the role.

(Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Michael Carrick retired from professional football in 2018 and immediately transitioned into coaching, becoming an assistant manager at Manchester United under Jose Mourinho and later Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He was handed the role of caretaker manager in November 2021 following Solskjaer’s sacking, overseeing three matches.
Carrick remained unbeaten during that short spell, recording two wins and one draw, before stepping aside following the appointment of Ralf Rangnick.
Although brief, the stint enhanced his reputation and helped pave the way for his first permanent managerial role with Middlesbrough.
Carrick took over Middlesbrough when the club were sitting 21st in the Championship, immediately transforming their fortunes.
Under his leadership:
Many feel Carrick’s tactical approach would be a better fit for United’s current squad than Amorim’s rigid 3-4-3 system.
Having worked extensively under Sir Alex Ferguson, and later alongside Mourinho and Solskjaer,
Carrick is widely viewed as someone who understands the club’s identity, culture, and expectations, while also possessing the modern coaching credentials needed to salvage a fractured campaign.









































