Arjun Menon
Carrick Takes Charge with Holland as His Right-Hand Man
Michael Carrick has agreed to step in as Manchester United’s interim head coach, with Steve Holland poised to join as his assistant. The deal was finalized on Monday night, and an official announcement is expected on Tuesday once the paperwork is complete.
The 44-year-old former United and England midfielder will be joined by Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans, and Travis Binnion in his coaching staff. Carrick’s first match in charge will be the high-stakes Premier League derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford this Saturday.
A Familiar Face Returns
Carrick is no stranger to the role, having previously taken the reins as temporary boss for three games after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure in 2021. This time, he’s bringing in Holland, a seasoned coach with experience under Gareth Southgate with England and a successful stint at Chelsea.
Holland, 55, had a brief and turbulent spell as manager of Japanese club Yokohama F Marinos, lasting just four months before his dismissal in April. Now, he’s set to return to the Premier League alongside Carrick.
Woodgate and Evans Reunite with Carrick
Woodgate, who worked under Carrick at Middlesbrough, will also join the staff, while former United defender Evans makes a return to Old Trafford. Binnion, already part of the club’s coaching setup, rounds out the team.
A Shift in Tactics and Vision
Carrick’s appointment follows United’s decision to sack Ruben Amorim after just 14 months in charge. Darren Fletcher, who stepped in as caretaker for the matches against Burnley and Brighton, will now return to his role with the Under-18s.
During face-to-face talks with United officials last Thursday, Carrick reportedly impressed chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox with his vision for the team. A key change will be a shift to a 4-2-3-1 formation, moving away from Amorim’s three-at-the-back system.
Solskjaer, who had also been in contention for the role, was ultimately overlooked in favor of Carrick, who is seen as a more hands-on coach.
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