Jason Wilcox and Man Utd booed in Brighton defeat; Michael Carrick appointed as interim

Jason Wilcox and Man Utd were booed in defeat to Brighton and Michael Carrick has since been appointed as interim head coach.

The 13-time winners ended up exiting the FA Cup at the third round stage for the first time since 2014, with this another low point in a season that goes from bad to worse.

They have also been beaten by Grimsby in the League Cup, no European football, no manager, and trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by 17 points.

The ‘Jim Can’t Fix This’ banner was on display, another read “We want our club back, some things are worth fighting for.”

Jason Wilcox was booed on arrival at Old Trafford yesterday.

via @_StrettyEnd pic.twitter.com/uhbYWMbmuW

— utdreport (@utdreport) January 12, 2026

MAN UTD STATEMENT:

Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Carrick as head coach of the men’s first team until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Carrick played 464 games for the club, winning five Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

He joined the first-team coaching staff when he retired in 2018 and served under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Following Solskjaer’s departure, Carrick led the club with distinction during his role as caretaker manager.

The former England international was head coach at Middlesbrough for two-and-a-half years from October 2022.

Michael Carrick is back 🤝

Our former captain is our Head Coach for the remainder of 2025/26 🔴

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 13, 2026

Club spoke to ‘three excellent candidates’ in Carrick, Solskjaer and Van Nistelrooy, and decided that Carrick was the best fit. Also very impressed with Fletcher who will return to U18s role #mufc

— Chris Wheeler (@ChrisWheelerDM) January 13, 2026

Michael Carrick, head coach, said: ““Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour.

“I know what it takes to succeed here; 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.”

Jason Wilcox, director of football, said: “Michael is an excellent coach and knows exactly what it takes to win at Manchester United.

“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.”

Carrick will be supported by Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Travis Binnion, Jonny Evans and Craig Mawson.

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 Under-18s, playing a vital role in developing players ready to perform in a winning Manchester United first team.

Here’s how fans reacted with Jason Wilcox and Man Utd booed in Brighton defeat and Michael Carrick since appointed as interim…

@bigphil321: I loved him as a player, & he’s clearly a competent manager/coach, but unproven at the top level.. Is he till the end of the season until a bigger name comes in, & does the appt of Steve Holland ‘pave the way’ for Southgate? Either way, I’m 100% behind the gaffer #MUFC #Carrick

@MarkStretford: Onwards! Back the team and the boss 100%. #MUFC Just to note, although it’s an interim appointment until June. Seems he’s purely going to be called “head coach”. Nowhere in the statement is the word interim.

@SoccerLimey: #MUFC Carrick it is then. I’m as happy as I could be given the current dilemma that the club is in. However, the Holland appointment is bizarre. I didn’t realize that he and Carrick had a connection? Surely if Southgate was the intended summer target, they would appoint him now?

@11J99_: I got told this a week ago, along with it being Glasner in the summer. Let’s hope Macclesfield knocking Palace out has dissuaded Berrada. Hope Michael Carrick does well, top guy & he gets the club, but it needs to be for 6 months only regardless of results #carrick #mufc

@BrittanyYoungx: Good luck to Carrick. He’s gonna need it with this lot. #MUFC

@Mufc_Sarah: I love Ole but my preference was always for Carrick. Going back to a former manager who we sacked just didn’t sit right. Looking forward to an improved season from here on in #MUFC

Raimond van der Gouw (Former Man Utd goalkeeper on 5live): If you look at the moment it’s a very good choice. I’m glad to see Michael as interim manager until the end of the season. He’s a real winner and he knows the game. I know him as a player because I played with him at West Ham for one season. He knows what is necessary for the game. As a player he was very good, as a manager I don’t know exactly. He keeps calm, keeps confidence and keeps an overview which is very important at the moment at Manchester United.