Here’s the latest on Manchester United’s search for a permanent manager.
- Carrick in frame for permanent role: Reports in early 2026 suggested Michael Carrick was among the leading candidates for the permanent position after serving as interim boss, with the club weighing options and not rushing a decision. This included talk of a long-term plan beginning after the current season, rather than a quick fix.[4][5][9]
- External frontrunners floated: Several high-profile names were mentioned in coverage around the time, including Oliver Glasner as a preferred external option, alongside other established managers mentioned by various outlets, though no final decision was announced at that stage.[6][4]
- Ongoing negotiations and timing: The narrative repeatedly indicated United would await the completion of ongoing season-end evaluations and the World Cup window (when relevant) before confirming a permanent appointment, keeping options open and not ruling out multiple candidates.[3][4]
Example of how the search evolved:
- Early January reports framed Carrick as a leading in-house option while the club pursued broader conversations about external targets.[4]
- By March, outlets reiterated that the next permanent appointment was not decided and that Carrick remained a strong contender in the process, with other names still circulating in speculation.[5]
Notes and context:
- No official appointment had been announced in the cited period; Manchester United typically balances interim performance with a longer-term strategic choice for the head coach role.[3][4]
- The coverage ranged from direct confirmations of Carrick’s position to speculative lists of potential targets, reflecting the common media pattern around big clubs during a managerial transition.[6][3]
If you’d like, I can pull the latest, most-up-to-date articles from reputable outlets and summarize any confirmed decisions or official statements, with direct quotes and dates.
Sources
Man Utd director of football Jason Wilcox had informal conversations with Ole Solskjaer and Michael Carrick on Tuesday and both are keen on being involved with the first team again; the club look set to confirm a short-term appointment until the end of the season
www.skysports.comManchester United will not be rushed into making a decision about their next permanent manager, according to football director John Murtough.
www.espn.comMan Utd director of football Jason Wilcox had informal conversations with Ole Solskjaer and Michael Carrick on Tuesday and both are keen on being involved with the first team again; the club look set to confirm a short-term appointment until the end of the season
www.skysports.comDarren Fletcher will be in charge for Man Utd’s next fixture but plans beyond that are heading in a different direction.
www.si.comManchester United reportedly make a Champions League winner one of their main targets in the search for a new permanent head coach.
www.sportsmole.co.uk😲"It does not mean anything has been decided for summer 2026 in terms of the permanent manager." #MUFC
www.teamtalk.comThe Red Devils are searching for their next permanent manager.
www.si.comManchester United's search for a permanent replacement for Ruben Amorim will continue after the appointment of Michael Carrick as the club's interim head coach.
www.mirror.co.uk