Carrick confirmed as Man Utd caretaker head coach

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

  • 2432 Comments

Manchester United have appointed former player Michael Carrick as their caretaker head coach until the end of the season.

Carrick will be assisted by former England number two Steve Holland, with Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion also part of his staff.

Former United midfielder Carrick, 44, had a three-game stint as United’s temporary boss after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal in 2021.

He will be back in the Old Trafford dugout for Saturday’s Premier League derby against Manchester City.

United sacked Ruben Amorim on 5 January after 14 months in charge, and Darren Fletcher took charge as caretaker boss for two matches.

“It’s an unbelieveble feeling to come back through the doors and be part of the club again,” Carrick told the in-house Inside Carrington podcast.

“It’s a big responsibility, a massive pleasure and a privilege to be here, but we want to do a good job – this place deserves that.”

Carrick added he “might have to play certain ways” in order to win games but insisted he wants his side to show “a really exciting type of football, be positive and express and bring excitement”.

“I want to be off my seat, I want to be enjoying watching the boys play and results obviously need to come with that,” he said.

Carrick held face-to-face talks with United officials last Thursday and is understood to have impressed chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox with his vision for the team.

He is set to play a 4-2-3-1 formation – a move away from the three-at-the-back set-up employed by Amorim.

Norwegian Solskjaer, who has played for and managed United, also held talks with the club about the vacancy.

But Carrick has been chosen as he is more of a hands-on coach than Solskjaer.

Fletcher, who took charge of the games against Burnley and Brighton immediately after Amorim’s exit, will return to the under-18s.

Who are Carrick’s staff?

Getty Images

Holland worked under Gareth Southgate when England finished fourth at the 2018 World Cup and were runners-up at Euro 2021 and 2024.

He spent several years with Chelsea, where he had major success under a number of managers.

The 55-year-old was sacked as manager of Japanese club Yokohama F Marinos in April after only four months in charge.

Woodgate worked under Carrick at Middlesbrough and was a team-mate of Wilcox at Leeds. He managed Boro between 2019 and 2020, and had a short spell as Bournemouth manager in 2021.

Former United defender Evans returns to Old Trafford, while Binnion was already part of the club’s coaching staff.

    • 13 hours ago

‘Carrick and Solskjaer both impressed’ – analysis

The feeling that Carrick arguably provides greater hands-on coaching expertise than Solskjaer was at the heart of why United decided to take the path they have.

Both candidates impressed during talks, and both made absolutely clear their interest in replacing Amorim was in order to help a club they hold so dearly to their hearts out of its current difficulties.

The potential for Solskjaer to again inspire a squad so clearly in need of a pick-me-up – as he did when he initially replaced Jose Mourinho on an interim basis in 2018 – was a key consideration for United chiefs.

But the sense that coaching was at the heart of Carrick’s appointment ultimately became one of the overriding factors behind the decision.

Carrick – during his relatively short managerial career – has developed a reputation as one of Britain’s most adept young coaches.

Intriguingly, it also has not gone unnoticed by United chiefs that at Middlesbrough he oversaw a transition from a three-at-the-back system deployed by predecessor Chris Wilder to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

He is expected to make the same tactical transition at Old Trafford, with Carrick set to move away from Amorim’s 3-4-3 system to a formation far more aligned with United’s traditions.

‘United feel they have the right coaching blend’ – analysis

In a very difficult situation, Manchester United feel they have emerged with the right coaching blend to take them through to the end of the season.

Holland is the big name – and the surprise. His vast experience, most recently with England, will provide a cool head and knowledge and expertise of operating in a vast goldfish bowl, when everyone has an opinion on the work you are doing.

Evans has minimal coaching experience but until last summer had been part of the United dressing room for two years. He knows Carrick very well but, more to the point, knows virtually all the players in the dressing room.

Binnion has huge experience within United. He knows the players who have come through the academy – Kobbie Mainoo to start with, but Shea Lacey, Jack Fletcher and beyond. He is also very highly rated as a coach in his own right.

Related topics

  • Manchester United
  • Premier League
  • Football

More on this story

    • 14 hours ago
    Fifa president Gianni Infantino awarded US President Donald Trump the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize in December prior to the draw for the 2026 World Cup
    • 1 day ago
    Marcos Senesi of Bournemouth handles the ball denying Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike a run on goal

Carrick confirmed as Man Utd caretaker head coach

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

  • 2432 Comments

Manchester United have appointed former player Michael Carrick as their caretaker head coach until the end of the season.

Carrick will be assisted by former England number two Steve Holland, with Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion also part of his staff.

Former United midfielder Carrick, 44, had a three-game stint as United’s temporary boss after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal in 2021.

He will be back in the Old Trafford dugout for Saturday’s Premier League derby against Manchester City.

United sacked Ruben Amorim on 5 January after 14 months in charge, and Darren Fletcher took charge as caretaker boss for two matches.

“It’s an unbelieveble feeling to come back through the doors and be part of the club again,” Carrick told the in-house Inside Carrington podcast.

“It’s a big responsibility, a massive pleasure and a privilege to be here, but we want to do a good job – this place deserves that.”

Carrick added he “might have to play certain ways” in order to win games but insisted he wants his side to show “a really exciting type of football, be positive and express and bring excitement”.

“I want to be off my seat, I want to be enjoying watching the boys play and results obviously need to come with that,” he said.

Carrick held face-to-face talks with United officials last Thursday and is understood to have impressed chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox with his vision for the team.

He is set to play a 4-2-3-1 formation – a move away from the three-at-the-back set-up employed by Amorim.

Norwegian Solskjaer, who has played for and managed United, also held talks with the club about the vacancy.

But Carrick has been chosen as he is more of a hands-on coach than Solskjaer.

Fletcher, who took charge of the games against Burnley and Brighton immediately after Amorim’s exit, will return to the under-18s.

Who are Carrick’s staff?

Getty Images

Holland worked under Gareth Southgate when England finished fourth at the 2018 World Cup and were runners-up at Euro 2021 and 2024.

He spent several years with Chelsea, where he had major success under a number of managers.

The 55-year-old was sacked as manager of Japanese club Yokohama F Marinos in April after only four months in charge.

Woodgate worked under Carrick at Middlesbrough and was a team-mate of Wilcox at Leeds. He managed Boro between 2019 and 2020, and had a short spell as Bournemouth manager in 2021.

Former United defender Evans returns to Old Trafford, while Binnion was already part of the club’s coaching staff.

    • 13 hours ago

‘Carrick and Solskjaer both impressed’ – analysis

The feeling that Carrick arguably provides greater hands-on coaching expertise than Solskjaer was at the heart of why United decided to take the path they have.

Both candidates impressed during talks, and both made absolutely clear their interest in replacing Amorim was in order to help a club they hold so dearly to their hearts out of its current difficulties.

The potential for Solskjaer to again inspire a squad so clearly in need of a pick-me-up – as he did when he initially replaced Jose Mourinho on an interim basis in 2018 – was a key consideration for United chiefs.

But the sense that coaching was at the heart of Carrick’s appointment ultimately became one of the overriding factors behind the decision.

Carrick – during his relatively short managerial career – has developed a reputation as one of Britain’s most adept young coaches.

Intriguingly, it also has not gone unnoticed by United chiefs that at Middlesbrough he oversaw a transition from a three-at-the-back system deployed by predecessor Chris Wilder to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

He is expected to make the same tactical transition at Old Trafford, with Carrick set to move away from Amorim’s 3-4-3 system to a formation far more aligned with United’s traditions.

‘United feel they have the right coaching blend’ – analysis

In a very difficult situation, Manchester United feel they have emerged with the right coaching blend to take them through to the end of the season.

Holland is the big name – and the surprise. His vast experience, most recently with England, will provide a cool head and knowledge and expertise of operating in a vast goldfish bowl, when everyone has an opinion on the work you are doing.

Evans has minimal coaching experience but until last summer had been part of the United dressing room for two years. He knows Carrick very well but, more to the point, knows virtually all the players in the dressing room.

Binnion has huge experience within United. He knows the players who have come through the academy – Kobbie Mainoo to start with, but Shea Lacey, Jack Fletcher and beyond. He is also very highly rated as a coach in his own right.

Related topics

  • Manchester United
  • Premier League
  • Football

More on this story

    • 14 hours ago
    Fifa president Gianni Infantino awarded US President Donald Trump the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize in December prior to the draw for the 2026 World Cup
    • 1 day ago
    Marcos Senesi of Bournemouth handles the ball denying Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike a run on goal

Carrick confirmed as Man Utd caretaker head coach

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

  • 2432 Comments

Manchester United have appointed former player Michael Carrick as their caretaker head coach until the end of the season.

Carrick will be assisted by former England number two Steve Holland, with Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion also part of his staff.

Former United midfielder Carrick, 44, had a three-game stint as United’s temporary boss after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal in 2021.

He will be back in the Old Trafford dugout for Saturday’s Premier League derby against Manchester City.

United sacked Ruben Amorim on 5 January after 14 months in charge, and Darren Fletcher took charge as caretaker boss for two matches.

“It’s an unbelieveble feeling to come back through the doors and be part of the club again,” Carrick told the in-house Inside Carrington podcast.

“It’s a big responsibility, a massive pleasure and a privilege to be here, but we want to do a good job – this place deserves that.”

Carrick added he “might have to play certain ways” in order to win games but insisted he wants his side to show “a really exciting type of football, be positive and express and bring excitement”.

“I want to be off my seat, I want to be enjoying watching the boys play and results obviously need to come with that,” he said.

Carrick held face-to-face talks with United officials last Thursday and is understood to have impressed chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox with his vision for the team.

He is set to play a 4-2-3-1 formation – a move away from the three-at-the-back set-up employed by Amorim.

Norwegian Solskjaer, who has played for and managed United, also held talks with the club about the vacancy.

But Carrick has been chosen as he is more of a hands-on coach than Solskjaer.

Fletcher, who took charge of the games against Burnley and Brighton immediately after Amorim’s exit, will return to the under-18s.

Who are Carrick’s staff?

Getty Images

Holland worked under Gareth Southgate when England finished fourth at the 2018 World Cup and were runners-up at Euro 2021 and 2024.

He spent several years with Chelsea, where he had major success under a number of managers.

The 55-year-old was sacked as manager of Japanese club Yokohama F Marinos in April after only four months in charge.

Woodgate worked under Carrick at Middlesbrough and was a team-mate of Wilcox at Leeds. He managed Boro between 2019 and 2020, and had a short spell as Bournemouth manager in 2021.

Former United defender Evans returns to Old Trafford, while Binnion was already part of the club’s coaching staff.

    • 13 hours ago

‘Carrick and Solskjaer both impressed’ – analysis

The feeling that Carrick arguably provides greater hands-on coaching expertise than Solskjaer was at the heart of why United decided to take the path they have.

Both candidates impressed during talks, and both made absolutely clear their interest in replacing Amorim was in order to help a club they hold so dearly to their hearts out of its current difficulties.

The potential for Solskjaer to again inspire a squad so clearly in need of a pick-me-up – as he did when he initially replaced Jose Mourinho on an interim basis in 2018 – was a key consideration for United chiefs.

But the sense that coaching was at the heart of Carrick’s appointment ultimately became one of the overriding factors behind the decision.

Carrick – during his relatively short managerial career – has developed a reputation as one of Britain’s most adept young coaches.

Intriguingly, it also has not gone unnoticed by United chiefs that at Middlesbrough he oversaw a transition from a three-at-the-back system deployed by predecessor Chris Wilder to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

He is expected to make the same tactical transition at Old Trafford, with Carrick set to move away from Amorim’s 3-4-3 system to a formation far more aligned with United’s traditions.

‘United feel they have the right coaching blend’ – analysis

In a very difficult situation, Manchester United feel they have emerged with the right coaching blend to take them through to the end of the season.

Holland is the big name – and the surprise. His vast experience, most recently with England, will provide a cool head and knowledge and expertise of operating in a vast goldfish bowl, when everyone has an opinion on the work you are doing.

Evans has minimal coaching experience but until last summer had been part of the United dressing room for two years. He knows Carrick very well but, more to the point, knows virtually all the players in the dressing room.

Binnion has huge experience within United. He knows the players who have come through the academy – Kobbie Mainoo to start with, but Shea Lacey, Jack Fletcher and beyond. He is also very highly rated as a coach in his own right.

Related topics

  • Manchester United
  • Premier League
  • Football

More on this story

    • 14 hours ago
    Fifa president Gianni Infantino awarded US President Donald Trump the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize in December prior to the draw for the 2026 World Cup
    • 1 day ago
    Marcos Senesi of Bournemouth handles the ball denying Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike a run on goal

EastEnders Slater family stars now from arrest to selling cleaning products

Where the stars of one of the Square’s most iconic families are now after the family’s figurehead Derek Martin sadly died.

Few families made as big an impact on Albert Square as the Slaters. And they had big shoes to fill back at the turn of the Millennium, replacing EastEnders’ mighty Di Marcos. Charlie Slater and his three girls Kat, Lynne, Little Mo and grandaughter Zoe (the other Slaters came later) made a huge impact from the start.

Jill Halfpenny shares her ‘pain and tears’ over heart attacks that changed her life

Ahead of the new series of After The Floor, the actress tells of what’s in store for fans, her joy at getting ‘meatier’ roles, and opens up about dealing with grief after loss

Just 14 when she cut her teeth on Byker Grove, alongside Ant and Dec, Jill Halfpenny has since played a soap opera seductresses in both Corrie and EastEnders, she’s won Strictly and become a stalwart of gritty TV dramas. Currently starring in the thriller, Girl Taken, on streaming channel Paramount TV+, she is also returning to ITV mystery drama After The Flood for a second series on Sunday (18 Jan) playing DS Sam Bradley. And she will be starring alongside another former soap actress, Sally Lindsay, in a new thriller Number One Fan, coming soon on 5.

On playing the detective, Jill, 50, says: “I liked the cast, so when they asked me to join it was a really easy yes. I didn’t even have to think about it. Sam comes across as someone who is very easy to talk to and very warm and approachable, but I’m not sure whether that’s exactly who she is.

READ MORE: Ben Fogle bombshell surprises fans as the TV presenter considers a future in politics

“She’s been doing it for so long she knows how to be affable and how to play the game and how to fit into a new team. She might ask people about their lives, but they might not find much out about hers – she’s one of those people.”

The second series picks up with newly promoted detective Jo Marshall (Sophie Rundell) juggling a new baby and childcare arrangements with her estranged ex Pat (Matt Stokoe) and her mum – councillor Molly (Lorraine Ashbourne) – while at the same time trying to expose her corrupt boss, Sergeant Phil Mackie (Nicholas Gleaves).

The first episode of the six-part thriller opens with Jo, clearly baffled when a dead body is found in strange circumstances on the moors. DS Bradley, newly transferred to the area, joins her in trying to solve the murder. Jill says: “I’m often cast as the ‘everywoman’. I tend to play characters that are quite grounded and no-nonsense.

“I can identify with that. I don’t come with a lot of bells and whistles. I’m straight to the point. Maybe that’s just who I am, maybe that’s how I was brought up, but I like people who are really direct. It makes me feel comfortable.”

Fans of Jill’s will remember her from early roles like Coronation Street, which she joined in 1999 as nurse Rebecca Hopkins, whose affair with Martin Platt ended his marriage to Gail, and EastEnders (2002) when she played Kate Mitchell, an undercover policewoman introduced as a honeytrap for Phil Mitchell, whose cover was blown when she fell in love and married him.

But the actress, who won Strictly’s second series in 2004 and has starred in dramas like Waterloo Road, Wild at Heart, Three Girls and The Long Shadow, says until a decade ago a lot of her roles were “dull.” She says: “It gets quite dull when you’re a young 20 year-old, playing the secretary, or the girl in the village. That gets quite boring after a while.

“You do find yourself in your mid to late 20s, where you’re like ‘come on! Give me something!’ It’s a fact that it’s a bit harder for women, because there are less parts, so you find yourself competing for the good stuff. When I went to drama school, I really believed that I was going to be given all these amazing opportunities when I left and I was going to be able to play a girl from a council estate and then go on to play a Russian princess and then a Spanish dancer.

“Then I left drama school and people went ‘oh, no, no, no!’ We all get typecast into a certain type of role, so it’s lovely when somebody says ‘do you fancy playing something like this’ and it’s something different. Thankfully, as time has gone on, I’ve been given more to do and in the last ten years, people have started to write more interestingly for women, which has been great.

“I’m getting meatier roles, because writers are allowed to tell stories from the point of view of the woman and being allowed to tell stories that are a bit messier and more complex. So, the woman is not just the person that’s with the lead character.” In the last four years Jill has done brilliantly, appearing in gripping TV dramas including The Feud, The Holiday, The Drowning and The Cuckoo.

But while her professional life couldn’t be better, away from the cameras she has been through the mill. In 2017, her life was turned upside down when her partner Matt Janes, 43, died after suffering a heart attack at the gym. His death also triggered tragic memories of her father Colin’s death, aged 36, also after a heart attack, during a game of five-a-side football.

She shared her experiences of loss and grieving in her memoir, A Life Reimagined, published last year. She says: “I didn’t write the last page and think ‘oh my God, that’s better,’ because I was re-visiting a lot of feelings. “But my whole philosophy is not to run away from grief – to be brave enough to cry and stay in the discomfort. So, I talked about how I felt and I hope that helped some people.

“One of the reasons why we struggle when we lose people is because we don’t talk about the fact that we’re going to lose people – ‘shut up, don’t talk about that, no point in talking about it until they’re gone.’ Well, there is actually. It’s called preparation. What made me decide to write it was that I’d read a huge number of books about grief when I lost my partner. They were brilliant, but a lot of them were written from a professional’s point of view.

“I would have loved to have heard from a normal person who had lost someone and was speaking from a very personal point of view about how they dealt with it and what they went through. Even things like what you do when someone dies. All the paperwork, how you book a funeral. It’s all shrouded in secrecy. No-one knows until it’s happening to them. They’re like: ‘why didn’t anyone tell me this?’ It’s because we don’t talk about it.”

Now living by the sea in her native North East with her 17 year-old son Harvey, from her previous marriage to actor Craig Conway, she is dating marketing manager Ian McAllister. They met in 2023 and she says she is in a good place. She says: “You think about all of the years and all the pain and the tears and then suddenly I’m here today and I feel good.

“Life isn’t perfect, but I’m happy to be where I’m at. Life is random. I lost my dad and then I lost my partner. I’ve lost friends and other members of the family. It’s just a natural cycle of life. For some reason we have it in our heads that we should all live to a ripe old age, but some of us don’t. It’s not that it’s ok, but there’s no comfort for me in being angry or wishing it was different.

“The only comfort for me is acceptance. Then I can open my eyes and think there might be other things now. Because when you’re still angry you close yourself off to a life that could possibly be waiting for you.”

*After the Flood returns on Sunday, 18th January, airing weekly on Sundays and Mondays on ITV. All episodes are available on ITVX

Article continues below

READ MORE: Tom Hiddleston addresses doing Strictly despite having new baby with famous fiancee