Carrick is set to become Manchester United's interim manager before Wednesday, leading the team against Manchester City! Details of his turnaround over Solskjaer revealed.

The 44-year-old Michael Carrick is anticipated to be named Manchester United’s interim manager through the remainder of the season. Following individual meetings with club executives involving him and Solskjaer, Carrick surpassed the originally favored Solskjaer to become the preferred choice. Italian transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano confirmed: "Carrick has agreed to all contract conditions with Manchester United, the deal is almost finalized, confirmation expected this week as planned. Very soon, here we go."

Although the signing is not yet complete, it is widely expected, with an official announcement likely before Wednesday. Manchester United aims for Carrick to lead the team in the match against Manchester City on Saturday. It is reported that Carrick will bring on an assistant coach, with his friend Rooney volunteering, though this may not come to pass. Earlier this year, Carrick vacationed in Barbados with Rooney.

Rooney has publicly stated that he would be willing to join Carrick’s staff if invited. "Of course, I’m willing, no hesitation at all," Rooney said. "I’m not begging for the job, but I want everyone to understand that if this situation arises, the answer is absolutely yes. I believe the club needs people who know it well, whether it’s Michael (Carrick), Fletcher, John O’Shea, or myself. We understand Manchester United, care about the club, and know what it means to be a United player. That’s what the club requires. They have lost that quality, that family atmosphere. This is a great chance to bring the Manchester United spirit back to the club. Michael is very intelligent, knows the club inside out, and is a very suitable candidate."

Former England international Jonathan Woodgate is more likely to be appointed as Manchester United’s assistant coach, having previously worked as Carrick’s deputy at Middlesbrough. United’s senior management hopes to finalize arrangements by Wednesday when players return to training.

Carrick’s interview performance outshone the more popular Solskjaer, leaving a strong impression on two of Manchester United’s top executives. According to "Jingji Net," United’s sporting director Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada led the selection process for the interim coach, with the final appointment of Carrick requiring approval from owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family.

Transfer expert Ben Jacobs revealed that one key reason Carrick edged out Solskjaer was his realism, understanding he might only be a temporary figure. Even if he achieves good results, he does not insist on staying permanently. He knows that good performance could attract Premier League clubs such as Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Fulham. Meanwhile, Solskjaer hopes that if United qualifies for the Champions League, he can be appointed full-time and receive a substantial bonus, despite previously stating he would return to United without pay.

Carrick perfectly fits the profile sought by Sir Ratcliffe and the INEOS Group: young, tactically sharp, and calm in personality, without disrupting the current situation. Carrick always maintains a polite and friendly demeanor, never seeking attention through flashy or provocative behavior.

Those close to Carrick did not boast about his credentials last week; his friends said he remained very low-key. In contrast, Solskjaer’s friends enthusiastically spoke about his return to Carrington, emphasizing his love for Manchester United and disregard for status, position, or salary. Up to six Norwegian football journalists traveled to Manchester to cover this. United’s management was clearly displeased with such public promotion.

It is said that Carrick also has the support of players in the Manchester United dressing room who have worked with him before, including Bruno Fernandes, Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Diogo Dalot. He collaborated with them while part of Mourinho’s and Solskjaer’s coaching staff.

A survey conducted by The Sun shows that fans cautiously favor Carrick, with nearly 50% of respondents believing he is the best choice for Manchester United’s interim manager.

Carrick’s most recent role was managing Middlesbrough for nearly three years. In his first season, 2022/23, the team reached the Championship playoff; in the second season, they made it to the League Cup semi-finals. His overall win rate at the Riverside Stadium was 46.3%, with 63 wins, 24 draws, and 49 losses in 136 matches.

"Never get too high or too low. That’s Michael’s style," a source said. "If one word can solve a problem, he won’t use ten. Everyone at Middlesbrough liked him."

Manchester United’s transfer director Christopher Viveil also believes Carrick’s tactical ideas are clearer than Solskjaer’s. Solskjaer’s greatest achievement at United was not tactical but "making everyone smile." He is an old-school "manager," whereas the Red Devils’ leadership wants a true "coach."

It is well known that the direct trigger for Amolyn’s dismissal was his public demand at a post-match press conference to be manager, not just a coach. Wilcox and Berrada did not anticipate this, but it was Wilcox’s self-styled "behind-the-scenes manager" attitude that angered Amolyn.

In October 2022, when Carrick took charge of Middlesbrough, the team was in the relegation zone. By implementing a passionate, possession-based style, he helped the team win 16 of the following 22 Championship matches. Carrick used various formations, sometimes employing three defenders, and scored three or more goals in 11 games.

However, at Middlesbrough, Carrick was seen to have two problems: a lack of a tactical Plan B and instability at critical moments. Before his dismissal, fans were very disappointed: "High possession but players didn’t know how to handle the ball; attacks were too slow and dull. Defensively, it was the worst I’ve seen. Substitutions were poor, and he didn’t make the first change until the 70th minute."

Middlesbrough missed the playoffs in Carrick’s last two seasons, but he could cite the consecutive sales of key players as a reason. For example, in 2023, Middlesbrough sold their top scorer Chuba Akpom, who scored 29 goals, to Ajax, and none of the five crucial loan players stayed. In February 2024, Morgan Rogers was sold to Aston Villa for £15 million.

Once officially announced as interim manager, Manchester United will shift focus to finding a permanent head coach, a process that may take several months. If Carrick helps the team return to the Champions League, he will have a strong case to be appointed permanently. However, if United again misses out on European competition, the club’s significant financial gap raises questions about whether they can afford to bring in a high-profile coach this summer. These are issues to be resolved in the coming weeks and months.