How Man Utd could line up under Michael Carrick

Cameron Smith

12 Jan 2026 09:15 CST
4 min read

Michael Carrick has overtaken Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the leading candidate to become the new interim manager of Manchester United.

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The Red Devils are currently searching for a replacement for Ruben Amorim following their decision to sack the 40-year-old last week and Carrick is now in pole position for the job, as per multiple reports.

Darren Fletcher, who became Man Utd’s Under-18 head coach in July, has been in interim charge for the club’s past two fixtures - versus Burnley and Brighton & Hove Albion - but he is expected to be replaced imminently.

It’s understood that Man Utd are keen to appoint a caretaker boss until the end of the 2025-26 season before hiring a permanent manager this summer, and Carrick has emerged as the frontrunner for the job in recent days.

The ex-Red Devils midfielder has been out of work since leaving Middlesbrough in June, but he could be set to return to the dugout with his former club.

How Man Utd could line up under Michael Carrick

Senne Lammens is the undisputed number one goalkeeper at Old Trafford and he will retain his place in between the sticks if Carrick is appointed as the club’s new interim boss.

The outfield positions are far more difficult to predict, although Carrick’s preferred style of play at Middlesbrough suggests he will deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation out of possession and a 3-2-4-1 shape when United have the ball.

This means that his favoured right-back will be required to move into a centre-back role, his left-back will provide width on the flank and his chosen left winger will tuck inside.

Noussair Mazraoui is therefore the more likely candidate to feature at right-back over Diogo Dalot, while Carrick may favour Patrick Dorgu’s attacking endeavour over Luke Shaw’s more defensive profile on the left.

In midfield, Carrick would likely opt to deploy a midfield pivot of Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro, with Bruno Fernandes selected in a more advanced role in the No.10 position.

© IMAGO - Kobbie Mainoo could play a key role at Man Utd if Michael Carrick is appointed as interim boss

Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount are both perfectly suited to playing off the left flank and drifting infield, although the former could be preferred due to his trickery in the final third.

Meanwhile, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will be in direct competition on the opposite side. However, Carrick could opt to deploy the former as a right winger and the latter as a centre forward, amid Benjamin Sesko’s struggles in front of goal.

Man Utd starting XI under Michael Carrick

GK: Senne Lammens

RB: Noussair Mazraoui

CB: Matthijs de Ligt

CB: Lisandro Martinez

LB: Patrick Dorgu

CM: Casemiro

CM: Kobbie Mainoo

RW: Amad Diallo

CAM: Bruno Fernandes

LW: Matheus Cunha

ST: Bryan Mbeumo

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