15/01/2026

SPORTS THURSDAY | JAN 15, 2026

30

Tough target Carrick tasked with reaching Champions League after getting Man Utd job

Ű BY SIMON PEACH

as England boss, while Woodgate worked with Carrick at Middlesbrough and played alongside Wilcox at Leeds. Former United defender Jonny Evans, U-21s coach Travis Binnion and goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson complete the coaching set-up after the trio worked under Fletcher during his two-game spell in interim charge. Fletcher stepped up from his role as U-18s boss last week, overseeing last Wednesday’s league draw at Burnley and Sunday’s FA Cup exit to Brighton. PA understands the former midfielder is rated exceptionally highly by the club hierarchy and turned down the opportunity to form part of Carrick’s staff in order to continue leading the U 18s. United said in a statement: “The club would like to place on record its gratitude to Darren Fletcher for his leadership during the last week. “Fletcher will remain as lead coach of the U-18s, playing a vital role in developing players ready to perform in a winning Manchester United first team.” – The Independent

N EW head coach Michael Carrick believes Manchester United have the quality to salvage their season after being charged with securing Champions League qualifi cation. Having last week sacked Ruben Amorim after an acrimonious end to 14 underwhelming months in charge, the former midfielder, club captain and first-team coach was handed the Old Trafford reins for the rest of the season on Tuesday. Carrick beat Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy to a role that is focused on ending a trophyless and topsy-turvy campaign in the European places, with United in the midst of a first season without continental football since 2014-15.

Manchester United’s new head coach, Michael Carrick. – REUTERSPIC

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He’s getting the clap off the Kop and I don’t know if that maybe went to his head,” Robertson said. “We can joke about it now but it’s unac ceptable to lose a goal like that. Dom obvi ously knows that. “He’s been magnificent for us this sea son and he was again really good. He just had a lapse of concentration, and we can’t afford too many of them in the six-yard box. “I don’t think Gio (Mamardashvili) was too happy. He wants to keep a clean sheet, the defence wants to keep a clean sheet as well, so it wasn’t great. It gave them a way back in and it was 2 1 for a long time. It made it a bit nervy but we got there in the end.” Robertson said the Liverpool team had a few choice words with Szoboszlai, adding: “I think we all said something at the time, but he realised and apologised at halftime. “If anyone’s performances can’t get criti cised this season, it’s Dom’s. He’s been 100% every game this season and has this lapse of concentration which isn’t great. We can’t really afford that in the so-called big ger games.” – The Independent Saturday’s Old Trafford derby against Manchester City before heading to leaders Arsenal the following weekend. But despite that start and United’s issues, there is belief within the club hierarchy that Carrick can fulfil their ambitions having called time on Amorim’s patchy, and increasingly fractious, reign. The Old Trafford side decided to bring in a coach with an understanding of the club to smooth the transition into a short-term post. With United sources telling the Press Association that the midfielder was the unanimous choice to take charge as director of football Jason Wilcox considers Amorim’s long-term successor. “Michael is an excellent coach and knows exactly what it takes to win at Manchester United,” the director of football said. “He is ready to lead our talented and determined group of players for the remainder of the season as we continue to build the club towards regular and sustained success.” Wilcox and Carrick worked together in deciding a suitable backroom team, leading to the approach and subsequent appointment of both Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate. Experienced Holland was Gareth Southgate’s assistant during his eight years

ANDY ROBERTSON has said it was “unac ceptable” that Liverpool conceded a goal in comical fashion against Barnsley when Dominik Szoboszlai tried a backheel on the edge of his own six-yard box. The Hungary midfielder apologised after the final whistle for his part in Adam Phillips’ goal and Robertson revealed he had said sorry to his teammates at half time. Head coach Arne Slot branded it a “weird choice” by Szoboszlai and said it was something he should not do in a training session, let alone an FA Cup game, while Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane called him “disrespectful”. Robertson said goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was unhappy to concede like that but the Scotland left-back said Szoboszlai’s performances this season, including the first goal in Liverpool’s 4-1 win on Monday, should spare him too much criticism. “The frustrating thing is Dom does this unbelievable 60-yard sprint to start with. Interim boss Darren Fletcher stressed the importance of securing Champions League football after Sunday’s FA Cup third round exit to Brighton and the new boss believes in the quality of the players at his disposal. “I know what it takes to succeed here,” said head coach Carrick, who won trophies aplenty across 464 appearances for United before starting his coaching career at the club. “My focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing. “I have worked with a number of the players already and have obviously continued to watch the team closely in recent years, I have total belief in their talents, dedication and ability to be successful here. “There is still a lot to fight for this season, we are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves.” Carrick takes over with United seventh in the Premier League and just three points off Liverpool in fourth, but he faces an unenviable start to life to his second spell in charge. The 44-year-old – who oversaw a three game unbeaten stint after Solskjaer’s sacking in November 2021 – begins with Ű BY RICHARD JOLLY

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