Michael Carrick has been named January’s Barclays Manager of the Month after steering Manchester United through a remarkable fortnight that turned the mood around at Old Trafford.
The former midfielder, who stepped in following the departure of Ruben Amorim in mid-January, could hardly have asked for a more demanding introduction. Instead, he delivered two results that reshaped the title race and reignited United’s season.
Michael Carrick began his temporary spell with a commanding 2-0 derby win over Manchester City, a performance that blended discipline with attacking intent.
Days later, his side travelled to the Emirates and recorded a thrilling 3-2 win against Arsenal, handing Mikel Arteta’s team their first home league defeat of the campaign.
Those back-to-back successes carried extra weight. United collected twice as many points from those two January fixtures, both against the top two in the Premier League table, as they managed in their previous three outings against struggling opposition.
Prior to Carrick’s arrival, results against Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley had yielded a modest return, with all three sides sitting in the bottom six.
The award marks the first time Carrick has claimed the monthly honour and places him in a select group. Only seven interim managers or head coaches have ever won it.
He becomes the second United boss to do so on a temporary basis after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who picked up the prize in January 2019 following his own electric start in the dugout.
Others to achieve the feat without holding the role permanently include Darren Moore at West Bromwich Albion in April 2018, Mike Jackson at Burnley in April 2022, Mike Phelan at Hull City in August 2016, Rafael Benitez at Chelsea in April 2013 and Phil Thompson at Liverpool in November 2001 and March 2002.
Carrick’s triumph also ends a wait for English coaches. He is the first English manager to win the award since April 2024, when Sean Dyche claimed it during his time at Everton.
He topped a four-man shortlist that included Dyche, now at Nottingham Forest, Andoni Iraola of AFC Bournemouth and Liam Rosenior of Chelsea. The winner was decided by a combination of supporters’ votes and the verdict of a panel of experts.
