MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 17: Manchester United head coach / manager Michael Carrick applauds after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Copa/Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick’s record as Manchester United manager makes for impressive reading. The former midfielder’s four games in charge are spread over two separate spells as interim manager, but he is nonetheless unbeaten in matches against Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Saturday’s derby win over City was particularly striking. Manchester United won 2-0 and it wasn’t a fluke. Far from it. In fact, Carrick’s team was the stronger outfit, dominating City in a way that surely had some supporters rubbing their eyes in disbelief. United hadn’t played like this in a long, long time.
Manchester City controlled the majority of possession, but did very little with it in the opposition half as Manchester United closed off all possible channels. Erling Haaland was barely involved. Phil Foden struggled to have much of an influence. City wasn’t allowed to play its natural game.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 17: Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-0 with Amad Diallo during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Copa/Getty Images)
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In an attacking sense, United was lightning quick to get forward when it had the opportunity. This was most evident in the opening goal which saw Bryan Mbeumo find the back of the net after a rapid breakaway. Manchester United repeated the trick when Patrick Dorgu crashed the back post to score a second.
“Today was special, putting things together quickly and trying to put an imprint on the team,” Carrick said after the derby victory. “Gathering together and emotionally getting attached to what we want to do. I felt that from the staff and the players. I am not getting carried away. It is one result, but it needs to be a regular feeling with that level of performance.”
The idea is that Carrick will take charge of Manchester United on an interim basis until the end of the season at which time the club will find a permanent replacement. The likes of Oliver Glasner, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann have all been mentioned as potential candidates.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 17: Michael Carrick, caretaker head coach of Manchester United, celebrates with Matheus Cunha of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Carrick, however, has thrust himself into the discussion. Manchester United must be careful not to make a hasty decision, but the performance against Manchester City suggested the former midfielder might have something to offer in the long-term. He could be the right fit for the squad he has inherited.
In the immediate term, Carrick’s job is to give United a chance of finishing in the top five and qualifying for next season’s Champions League. From there, the Old Trafford club would have a platform to plot a way forward. It might take them some time to forget about the standard of the derby win over City.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/grahamruthven/2026/01/19/could-michael-carrick-be-the-answer-for-manchester-united/
