Michael Carrick reaches verbal agreement to become Manchester United's interim head coach

Manchester United have reached a verbal agreement with Michael Carrick to become interim head coach for the rest of the season, according to Sky Sports News.

Carrick became the main focus of discussions on Monday before the former United captain was pictured arriving at the club's training ground on Tuesday.

Negotiations had gone on late into Monday night when all outstanding issues were ironed out.

PA news agency understands Carrick will bring in former England assistant manager Steve Holland, with Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion as backroom staff.

Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, who has taken charge of the past two games, was offered a role in Carrick's set-up, but has chosen to return to his role as Under-18s boss.

Official confirmation of the interim head coach appointment is set to come later on Tuesday, a week after the sacking of Ruben Amorim.

The appointment will allow Carrick to take charge of training on Wednesday and begin preparations for the Manchester derby on Saturday.

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Over the past few days, both Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United's head coach from December 2018 to November 2021, have met with Jason Wilcox, the club's director of football, who was leading the process to appoint a new boss.

Carrick and Solskjaer were both candidates for the position and both former United players met with the club's bosses and made pitches.

Carrick, 44, previously took charge of United in a caretaker role for three games after Solskjaer, 52, was sacked as head coach, having previously worked under both the Norwegian and Jose Mourinho in United's first-team coaching staff.

The former England midfielder, who made 464 appearances during a 12-year stint at United, in which he won five Premier League titles and the Champions League, won two and drew one of those matches before Ralf Rangnick took charge for the remainder of the season.

He was named Middlesbrough's manager in October 2022 and reached the Sky Bet Championship play-offs in his first season, but was dismissed last summer.

United legend Wayne Rooney, a teammate of Carrick's for most of his time at Old Trafford, has backed the appointment.

Speaking on BBC Sport's The Wayne Rooney Show, the 40-year-old former England captain said: "I was with him in Barbados last week! So obviously none of us saw this coming. Michael is a very clever person and he'll command respect from the dressing room."

Asked if he would join Carrick's staff if asked, Rooney said: "Of course I would! I think it's a no-brainer if that's the situation."

United only have the Premier League to focus on now, where they are ranked 7th, with Arsenal and Manchester City in first and second place.

They have been knocked out of both cup competitions, so the interim head coach will now focus on qualifying for European football next season.

(c) Sky News 2026: Michael Carrick reaches verbal agreement to become Manchester United's interim head coach