In January 2026, Michael Carrick was appointed as the interim manager of Manchester United after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's departure. His return to the role comes at a challenging time for the club, which is currently struggling to regain its former glory. Carrick previously served as a caretaker manager for 12 days at the end of 2021 and managed to remain undefeated in his three matches. His main objective now is to salvage the ongoing season while aiming to secure a return to European competitions. Carrick expressed the importance of maintaining focus on improving team performance and bringing new energy to the players, paving the way for a potential rebuilding phase within the club. Manchester United's first major challenge under Carrick will be their derby match against rivals Manchester City, followed by a crucial game against Premier League leaders Arsenal. Previous defeats in domestic competitions have left the team with only league matches to focus on, underscoring the significance of the upcoming fixtures. The team's performance will be closely monitored, as any signs of success could help in restoring the club's reputation and aiming for a position in European football next season.