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Manchester United are searching for a new permanent manager and interim head coach Michael Carrick is looking increasingly difficult to ignore
With Michael Carrick making a blistering start to his interim reign at Manchester United, many are inevitably wondering whether he’ll remain in charge beyond the end of the season.
United have won five of their six matches under Carrick, including statement victories over Manchester City and Arsenal. The club are on the hunt for a new long-term appointment, with a new manager expected to be in place before the start of the 2026/27 pre-season.
Carrick wasn’t initially viewed as a contender for the permanent role, but after breathing new life into the 13-time Premier League champions, he’s arguably surged to the front of the queue. Other contenders like Oliver Glasner, Gareth Southgate, Roberto De Zerbi and Julian Nagelsmann remain in frame, but the job increasingly feels like it’s Carrick’s to lose.
With that in mind, we’ve put our thinking caps on to consider what a long-term Manchester United contract for Carrick could look like. Let’s take a closer look.
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Duration
Carrick would most likely receive a three-year contract. This follows the precedent set for permanent hires like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag.
For INEOS, a three-year window provides enough security to implement a philosophy without the “lame duck” risk of a shorter deal, while avoiding the astronomical payout liabilities that hamstrung the club following the dismissals of Jose Mourinho and Ruben Amorim.
Staffing
Carrick would almost certainly be allowed to retain members of his current coaching staff. Steve Holland, in particularly, would stand out as a must-keep given his impressive record at Chelsea and with the England national team.
Holland is also viewed as the secret sauce behind the team’s tactical stability and newfound defensive rigidity. Retaining the blend of Holland’s elite experience with the club DNA represented by the likes of Jonny Evans creates a bridge between the first team and the academy that the hierarchy is desperate to preserve.
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Focus
Unlike previous regimes that prioritised “ready-made” stars, Carrick’s contract would likely contain a clear mandate to promote from within – placing renewed emphasis on the academy. That approach would align with the cost-conscious vision of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is keen to streamline spending while reconnecting United with the values that underpinned the most successful, youth-driven eras in the club’s history.
Last week, Carrick embarked on a 300-mile round trip to Oxford to support the FA Youth Cup team, a move that is reportedly being cited internally as proof of a manager who lives and breathes the club’s values.
Performance clauses
Expect hefty bonuses and incentives tied to Champions League qualification. Having dragged United back into the top four during his interim spell, the hierarchy will likely view UCL football as the club’s number one priority both competitively and financially.
The contract would also be expected to include safeguards – potentially even performance-related break clauses – should Carrick fail to meet expectations.
When hiring David Moyes back in 2013 for example, Manchester United structured the deal to protect the club from a costly pay-off if results deteriorated significantly, which they did. Given Carrick’s relative inexperience at the highest level, it is unlikely those protections would be relaxed.
Salary
A significant raise from his interim salary is expected, likely positioned in the £5million-£7m bracket. This keeps him below the Galactico wages previously commanded by Mourinho or Louis van Gaal (£10m+).
It aligns with Ratcliffe’s broader mission to right-size the club’s wage bill while rewarding Carrick for his lower-maintenance, high-output approach.
