Michael Carrick has been named the Barclays Manager of the Month for January after guiding Manchester United to stunning victories against the Premier League’s top two teams.
The 44-year-old took charge on an interim basis in mid-January following Ruben Amorim’s departure. His tenure opened with a 2-0 derby win over Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Carrick then masterminded a 3-2 victory at Arsenal, inflicting a first home league defeat of the season on Mikel Arteta’s side. The results immediately reset the mood around the club.
United collected twice as many points from Carrick’s two January fixtures as they had across the three previous matches. Those earlier outings came against Leeds, Wolves, and Burnley, three of the bottom six.
This marks Carrick’s first Manager of the Month award in the Premier League. He topped a four-man shortlist featuring Sean Dyche, Andoni Iraola, and Liam Rosenior.
Carrick joins an exclusive group of interim managers to win the prize. Only seven caretaker bosses have earned the accolade in Premier League history.
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Carrick becomes the first English manager to win the award since Sean Dyche in April 2024. His appointment represents a return to Old Trafford, where he previously served as caretaker in 2021.
During that brief stint, Carrick went unbeaten through three games, including wins over Villarreal and Arsenal. Cristiano Ronaldo later said his former teammate had the makings of a top manager.
Carrick’s managerial career includes a two-and-a-half-year spell at Middlesbrough from 2022 to 2025. He led Boro to the Championship play-offs in his first season and to a Carabao Cup semi-final the following year.
British press reports indicate Manchester United’s leadership is extremely pleased with Carrick’s influence. Director of Football Jason Wilcox praised his tactical clarity and ability to restore confidence in players.
From a stopgap solution for the remainder of the season, Carrick has emerged as a strong candidate for the long-term head coach position at Old Trafford. His January performance has transformed perceptions of his interim tenure.
