Manchester United’s hierarchy have change their future hiring plans, following the failures under Rúben Amorim and Erik ten Hag.
When Manchester United appointed Rúben Amorim to replace Erik ten Hag in November 2024, fans were excited as United had beaten Manchester City and Liverpool to one of the hottest managerial prospects in Europe.
Despite an awfully poor first season, the majority of United fans stuck by Amorim and hoped the summer recruitment would improve the team. Another 15th-placed finish would not be acceptable, but here we are. Amorim has been sacked, and Michael Carrick is now in charge.
It was a very similar story under Ten Hag. United fans were excited by the prospect of appointing one of the best upcoming managers in Europe, but the first two games forced the Dutchman to completely change his philosophy, and United never reached their full potential.
An FA Cup win over Manchester City, thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, gave Ten Hag another summer in charge, but he only made it until the end of October after a poor start to the season.
The next managerial appointment has to be a good one. United can’t afford another quick sacking, and it seems the board understand that.
United change managerial plans
As was known when he was first appointed, it seems unlikely Michael Carrick will stay at Old Trafford beyond the summer, so Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox must begin the search for a new head coach now.
Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports has reported that the hierachy believe the United job was “too big for Amorim”. While they don’t feel that was the case with Ten Hag, “there have been learnings from his tenure too.”
Rather than appointing another hot prospect, United are looking for “one of the biggest names in world football.” Thomas Tuchel and Luis Enrique have both been linked with the United job at the end of the season.
Other reports have indicated that Michael Carrick isn’t out of the running for the full-time position in the summer, but his profile does not fall into Berrada and Wilcox’s desired targets.
United need a manager before the World Cup
United fans seem happy with the prospect of seeing Tuchel in the Old Trafford dugout, given that he has the big-club experience from Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
However, United would have to wait until after the World Cup for Tuchel to take charge at United, but that could be on 19 July if England make it to the final. By that time, United would have already begun their pre-season preparations.
If they are hoping for a successful season, United need a full pre-season campaign before the Premier League and Champions League begin.
Carrick may not be the type of man Berrada and Wilcox are looking for, but he may be the best man to begin the 2026/27 season.
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