Manchester United have confirmed that Michael Carrick has signed a two-year contract to remain as head coach at Old Trafford. football news

Manchester United have announced that Michael Carrick will remain as their head coach on a two-year deal.

The former United midfielder, who was appointed in January until the end of the season Dismissal of Reuben AmorimA return to the Champions League has been rewarded with a full-time job.

Carrick finished seventh in the Premier League with United but 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday clinched third place with one game to spare.

United have won 11 of Carrick’s 16 games in charge, drawing three and losing two, in a run that began with a four-game winning streak and impressive victories over Manchester City and Arsenal.

United returned to the Champions League for the first time in the 2023/24 season following an impressive run under Carrick, which saw him nominated for Premier League manager.

United’s form in the Premier League since Carrick took over has seen them top the table with a possible 48 to 36 points.

After ending his playing career at Old Trafford, where he enjoyed a decorated spell winning five Premier League titles, the Champions League and the FA Cup, Carrick joined Jose Mourinho initially on the coaching staff in 2018.

After Mourinho was sacked, Carrick remained with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before leaving the Norwegian club in 2021. Carrick then took his first managerial responsibilities at Middlesbrough in 2022, leading the club to the play-offs in his first season and a Carabao Cup semi-final in June 2024.

Sky Sports News Understands the club is still finalizing paperwork for the current first team coaching staff to continue in their roles at the club – including Steve Holland And Jonathan Woodgate.

Carrick secured the long-term job after a ‘thorough and prudent’ process

Sky Sports News’ Dan Khan:

when United Engaged Carrick In January, though never guaranteed to continue as head coach – he was always going to be considered a candidate for the job.

United described a ‘thorough and prudent’ process – led by director of football Jason WilcoxAs they decided who would be their head coach next season and ultimately decided that Carrick was the best candidate against the current market.

Wilcox recommended Carrick as the most suitable candidate for CEO Omar Berada Before that he moved on to both sets of club owners, all of whom are understood to be lining up Carrick’s appointment.

The club’s hierarchy have been impressed by the results, improving performance but positive changes in Carrington’s culture, with Carrick believing the first-team staff deserve the chance to continue after their final six months at United.

Neville: Carrick man stabilizes Utd – but hard work begins now

Sky Sports Pundit and former Man Utd captain Gary Neville has praised the work Carrick has done as United boss so far, addressing issues on and off the pitch after what he called a “tumultuous few years”.

“From the first minute, the games against Manchester City and Arsenal, those first two games were absolutely amazing, the change,” said Neville. “I don’t know how Michael went from being so low in that period of time to the level he reached in those two matches.

“Since then, they may not have reached the heights of those two games but it was tough anyway, but just being very consistent, holding the line in games where they didn’t play well, being a lot more together, a lot more energy.

“Michael Carrick stabilized the club, on and off the pitch. On the pitch with the players, they are obviously much more comfortable with the system and the way they are being coached. But off the pitch, the fans are much happier. It comes with results but they also know Michael, they trust him, they respect him and the staff at the club.

“It’s been a turbulent few years and it’s probably the club’s best time since Michael arrived and he deserves a lot of credit for that.”

However, Neville said Carrick now needs to strengthen the squad’s areas of weakness in the summer transfer window and add depth for an even more demanding campaign with Champions League football returning to the schedule.

“He’s a realist. He’s seen what’s great at this club and he’s seen in his last few months that the team has done well for him but he’ll understand that the hard work and the challenge really starts now.

“Actually, it probably started a few weeks ago. He was talking about contributing to next season’s recruiting plan in a press conference a few weeks ago but it really started for Michael the minute he got the job.

“He almost did a fantastic job as a caretaker, interim. But now the permanent manager brings a different level of pressure, a different level of expectation.

“Manchester United need a lot of players, let’s be really clear. I don’t think Michael will be fooled by that. I don’t think any United fan will be fooled by that. They’ll understand that maybe there’s a nucleus of five or six that you can build on but there needs to be some additions that improve in terms of quality and stability.”

“If you get two or three injuries in different positions, it falls apart very quickly. So Manchester United, the Champions League next season and all those games in midweek have to really support Michael in the summer. I’m sure that’s their aim.”

Carragher: Carrick deserves job – but won’t deliver big trophy

Fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher Carrick is unproven to bring back major trophies at Old Trafford but believes his appointment is deserved, seeing him as a step-up manager for United.

“I don’t see Michael Carrick thinking of bringing Manchester United back to the Champions League or the Premier League. I think he should get the job,” Carragher said.

“If you think about where they’ve been for the last two or three years and what they’ve achieved, they can laugh. They finished 15th last season.

“What he has done has calmed everything down. Manchester United should always be in a Champions League position because of how big the club is. He has done that. He has done what he has to do. I think they can do another year.

“I don’t think they will be up for the challenge this summer. They need another year and risk changing someone who won’t cause problems and fall out with the players… Stable enough for Manchester United? I think it is for 12 months.”