Official: Michael Carrick wins first Premier League Manager of the Month award | OneFootball

The Premier League has confirmed Michael Carrick as January’s Barclays Manager of the Month after a dream start to his stint in the Manchester United dugout.

The official announcement credits the 44-year-old with overseeing a statement month featuring victories over the sides occupying the top two places in the table.

Published by the Premier League, Carrick’s award is his first in the competition.

Transformation at Old Trafford

Carrick stepped in during mid-January following Ruben Amorim’s departure, taking charge on an interim basis.

His reign opened with a 2-0 derby day win over Manchester City – courtesy of goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu – a result that immediately reset the mood around Old Trafford.

United then followed it up with a 3-2 triumph away at Arsenal – with goals from Mbeumo and Dorgu once again, as well as Matheus Cunha – handing Mikel Arteta’s side a first home league defeat of the season.

United collected twice as many points from Carrick’s two January fixtures as they managed across the three matches prior.

Those earlier outings came against Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Burnley respectively, with the trio being among the bottom six at the time.

Rare interim honour

Carrick’s recognition is also notable for how uncommon it is for an interim boss to win the prize.

He is one of only seven interim managers or head coaches to be named Manager of the Month, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the only other United boss to do so during an interim spell, back in January 2019.

Other names listed as interim winners include Darren Moore, Mike Jackson, Mike Phelan, Rafael Benitez, and Phil Thompson.

Carrick is also the first English manager or head coach to win the award since April 2024.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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