Man Utd: Sir Jim Ratcliffe Says Michael Carrick Is Doing ‘Excellent Job’ As Interim Head Coach
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly praised michael carrick, saying “He is doing an excellent job, yes, absolutely, ” after a marked upturn in Manchester United’s form since the former midfielder took over on a short-term deal.
Michael Carrick’s Record Since Appointment
michael carrick was appointed interim head coach after the sacking of Ruben Amorim in January and has overseen a run that has seen United earn 19 points from a possible 24. The side have won six of eight matches under his stewardship, accruing more points in that period than any other Premier League team, including the leaders, and suffering their first defeat under him at Newcastle.
The 44-year-old, brought in on a contract until the end of the season, has stabilised results and helped lift United to third in the league with nine games remaining, putting the club on course for Champions League qualification for the first time since their third-place finish in the 2022-23 season.
Ratcliffe Won’t Commit To Permanent Appointment
While praising the job done, Sir Jim Ratcliffe stopped short of committing to michael carrick for the long term. When asked about a permanent role, Ratcliffe said simply, “No, not going there. ” He added that the club is clearly thinking about Champions League qualification but noted there were still “seven or eight games to go, ” signalling that decisions on the future will be influenced by the season’s finish.
If United secure Champions League football under the interim, it would strengthen the case for Carrick to be considered for the post beyond this campaign, but Ratcliffe and the board remain cautious about drawing conclusions before the run-in is complete.
Board Decisions and Why the Next Appointment Matters
Ratcliffe and the board have emphasised the need to get the next managerial appointment right. The co-owner previously backed a different manager with a new contract following an FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in 2024, only to sack him less than three months into the following season. The board also backed the replacement, Ruben Amorim, despite a season that included a 15th-place league finish and a Europa League final loss to Tottenham; a prior statement had indicated an intention to give him three years to prove himself, yet Amorim was dismissed after 14 months.
Those recent decisions underline why the club is approaching the end-of-season evaluation cautiously: short-term improvement under the interim coach has changed the immediate picture, but the leadership intends to weigh results, stability and long-term fit before choosing who leads the team next season.
The focus for now remains on the remaining fixtures and whether United can maintain the momentum Carrick has generated to secure a top-four finish and a stronger case for any permanent appointment.
