Michael Carrick made 464 appearances for Manchester United between 2006 and his retirement in 2018.
Manchester United have officially appointed Michael Carrick as their permanent manager, signing him to a two-year contract.
The 44-year-old assumed interim managerial duties following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim in January and successfully secured Champions League qualification through a strong sequence of performances.
Former Middlesbrough manager Carrick has guided United to a confirmed third place finish in the Premier League after Sunday's exciting victory over Nottingham Forest.
Under his leadership, United have won 11 of 16 matches and Carrick has been shortlisted among six candidates for the Premier League's manager of the season award.
Since Carrick's appointment on 13 January, no top-flight club has accumulated more points than the 36 earned by Manchester United.
"From the moment that I arrived here 20 years ago, I felt the magic of Manchester United. Carrying the responsibility of leading our special football club fills me with immense pride," said Carrick.
"Throughout the past five months, this group of players have shown they can reach the standards of resilience, togetherness and determination that we demand here.
"Now it's time to move forward together again, with ambition and a clear sense of purpose. Manchester United and our incredible supporters deserve to be challenging for the biggest honours again."
When Amorim was dismissed, United were experiencing turmoil marked by poor results and disagreements over the Portuguese manager's tactics and formation, which strained relations with club officials during his 14-month tenure.
Carrick, who previously served as United's caretaker manager for three games following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's departure in 2021, has impressed both on and off the field.
The former England midfielder spent 12 years at Old Trafford as a player, winning five Premier League titles, the Champions League, and the FA Cup.
'The hard work starts now' - analysis
Michael Carrick has frequently been asked about clarity regarding his managerial future, often providing consistent responses during recent media briefings.
Despite achieving 11 wins in 16 games as interim manager, the real challenge begins now for Carrick.
Securing third place in a 40-game season—during which United had no European commitments and exited both domestic cup competitions at the first stage—is one achievement. However, improving in a campaign that could extend to 60 matches presents a different challenge.
It is clear that United must improve their recruitment strategy, with central midfield being a critical area. Casemiro is departing, Manuel Ugarte has not met expectations, and Kobbie Mainoo cannot be relied upon to play every game.
If Patrick Dorgu continues to be deployed in a more advanced role, there is also an urgent need for competition for Luke Shaw at left-back. Similarly, competition is necessary for goalkeeper Senne Lammens, as Radek Vitek aims to build on his outstanding season at Bristol City by playing regularly, which would be unlikely if he returns to Old Trafford next season.
Support can come from United's academy. Eighteen-year-old midfielder Jacob Devaney has impressed while on loan at St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership. Additionally, promising England Under-20 international Shea Lacey is expected to receive more opportunities next season.
However, the academy alone cannot bear the full burden. Carrick requires backing from the recruitment department.
Some statistical analyses have suggested that United's performance since Ruben Amorim's departure has not been as strong as their results indicate. Such assessments overlook the calm atmosphere Carrick has fostered at Carrington, the stability he has brought to the dressing room, and his composed approach during challenging moments.
While it may not appear so, finishing third next season, especially with the increased number of matches, would represent significant progress. Carrick needs reinforcements to have a realistic chance of achieving this goal.
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