Carrick appoints Holland, Woodgate to key roles at Man United

MANCHESTER: Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has strengthened his coaching staff by appointing experienced English coaches Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate to key roles at the club.

Holland, who previously served as assistant to England manager Gareth Southgate, joins United after a recent stint as head coach of Japanese club Yokohama F Marinos, where he was sacked last April. Woodgate reunites with Carrick following their time together at Middlesbrough and has also previously managed Middlesbrough and Bournemouth.

Travis Binnion, promoted from his role as Under-21s lead coach, and former United defender Jonny Evans have been retained on the coaching staff after working with Darren Fletcher.

Carrick secured the interim head coach role after impressing club executives during face-to-face interviews conducted by chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, beating Ole Gunnar Solskjær to the position. Solskjær had initially been the leading candidate to return to Old Trafford.

The former United midfielder has been tasked with guiding the club to a European qualification spot in the Premier League with 17 matches remaining in the season.

Carrick’s first match in charge will be a major test as United host local rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday, following their FA Cup exit at the hands of Brighton.

He replaces Ruben Amorim, who was sacked earlier this month. Darren Fletcher, who oversaw the Premier League draw against Burnley and the FA Cup defeat to Brighton, has decided to focus on his role with the Under-18s despite being offered a first-team position under Carrick.

Carrick previously managed United on an interim basis in November 2021 before becoming Middlesbrough head coach from October 2022 to June 2025. During his tenure, Boro reached the Championship play-offs in his first season and finished eighth and 10th in the following campaigns.

As a player, Carrick enjoyed a successful 12-year career at Manchester United after joining from Tottenham in 2006, winning five Premier League titles, the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and three League Cups.