Manchester United have finally announced that Michael Carrick is the new permanent head coach.
It was the worst-kept secret of the year, but now Manchester United have confirmed Michael Carrick as the new permanent boss to take charge of the 2026/27 season and beyond.
Carrick earned this position through merit, with each performance strengthening his claim after a third-place finish and securing Champions League football.
Here are those who will come out as winners and losers from this decision.
What is your INSTANT REACTION as Man United confirm Carrick appointment 🔥
Deserved? Or are you concerned?
Winners
Firstly, the winners.
Kobbie Mainoo: The biggest success story of the season under Carrick has been Mainoo, with the 21-year-old rediscovering his form and becoming instrumental for United.
Mainoo has returned to the England set-up since Carrick’s arrival, with his performances for United re-establishing him as a top-tier midfielder.
Under Carrick, Mainoo will continue to star and be platformed correctly. This is the manager who will see the United academy graduate reach his full potential.
Benjamin Sesko: Another young player who was a huge beneficiary of Carrick was Sesko, with the Slovenian scoring seven in 13 under the United boss, compared to five in 19 before he arrived (three being under Darren Fletcher).
Sesko will continue to grow under Carrick and Travis Binnion, and he will only get better next season with the faith and trust that has been placed in him being repaid.
He will be thrilled by this news.
Matheus Cunha: Since Carrick’s arrival, few players have become as vital to his team as Cunha.
Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko become second ever PL trio to score 10+ goals in debut season🔥
What an incredible achievement, how many goals should they each be aiming for in 2026/27?
The Brazilian is becoming as inevitable as Bruno Fernandes for Carrick, scoring and assisting often, while always working his socks off.
With Carrick in charge, Cunha will continue to grow and become a vital cog in this team.
Harry Maguire: It was under Carrick that Maguire was handed a new contract, and this has correlated to the experienced defender playing every game he’s been available for.
Carrick trusts Maguire, and there was no promise another head coach would have come in and used him as such.
Now, it looks clear that Maguire will be key for Carrick next season.
Diogo Dalot: Before Carrick’s arrival, fans were not pleased with the performances of Dalot as he didn’t really suit the Ruben Amorim system.
But Dalot has been vital for United under Carrick, as the side are unbeaten when he plays since January, but winless without him.
Right-back is locked up by Dalot under Carrick.
Manchester United’s academy: The academy took a battering under Amorim, with lots of criticism from the Portuguese coach, claiming they weren’t good enough.
But Carrick spins a different story, highlighting the importance of the academy, insisting he wants to give them all the chances he can.
This is ahead of Sunday, when we are expected to see multiple academy players feature against Brighton.
Jason Wilcox: After the disaster of Amorim, this is a decision Wilcox can’t afford to get wrong.
It still might, but he’s made the decision fans want to see, and the one that feels least likely to sting him, given Carrick has now got proof of his suitability.
Carrick is the face of Project 150, and United now need to back him in the summer. But for Wilcox, this is a good decision.
Carrick says Top 5 isn’t enough. Honestly, based on his run, do you think we are a genuine Title Contender for next season?
Losers
And onto the losers.
Manuel Ugarte: With Carrick made official, it should all but end Ugarte’s spell at the club, given how clearly he isn’t favoured by the head coach.
Ugarte is already on the cusp of leaving, and this should push it over the line.
Joshua Zirkzee: Similar to Ugarte, Zirkzee’s only chance at lasting beyond the summer was a new manager giving him a chance, but Carrick’s appointment should see him have one step out the door.
Zirkzee has been poor under Carrick, with the Dutchman’s time now up. United will be looking for more goals in a number two striker.
Ruben Amorim: With every bit of Carrick’s success, it is a damning indictment of how bad Amorim was during his time at the club.
Amorim had United one result away from 15th in the league and double digits off third.
Carrick has done a miraculous job to fix Amorim’s mess, and had a change been made earlier, we might have seen a title charge.
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