While there might have been plenty of raised eyebrows back in January as Michael Carrick made a shock return to the Old Trafford dugout, Manchester United have enjoyed an astonishing resurge under the former Middlesbrough boss.
Coming through the doors back in January as Ruben Amorim’s nightmare 14-month reign finally came to an end, Carrick returned to Manchester with an almighty job on his hands.
With the feel of a club who were in complete disarray and dealing with a string of high-profile issues both on and off the pitch, United faced a major uphill battle in the race to book any kind of European adventure for next season.
However, despite only returning on an initial temporary basis, few would have expected the remarkable job that their former midfielder has produced over the past four months.
Wrapping up both a lucrative Champions League ticket and a third-place finish among England’s elite with time to spare, Carrick finds his stock at a red-hot high and the 44-year-old is set to make his return a permanent one.
With the Old Trafford hierarchy already putting together their preparations ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, United also have their sights firmly set on mounting a genuine title charge.
Carrick’s remarkable return to Old Trafford
Although the footballing world might have been left stunned back in January as Carrick was announced as Amorim’s temporary replacement in the Old Trafford dugout, Manchester United are clearly relishing life under the former midfielder.
Embarking on what has been an astonishing run of form over the past few months, the Premier League giants officially secured a bronze medal finish following Sunday’s controversial 3-2 victory at home against Europa League semi-finalists Nottingham Forest.
With the mood around Old Trafford at the highest it has been in recent memory, Carrick has revitalised the United fanbase and it is no surprise that the ex-Middlesbrough boss is expected to make his position a permanent one over the coming days.
With news breaking last week that the 44-year-old is set to put pen to paper on a long-term deal in the red half of Manchester, Carrick was also shortlisted for the Premier League’s Manager of the Season award this month.
Getting his return to the Old Trafford underway with a famous 2-0 victory against arch-rivals Manchester City back on January 17th, Carrick has also picked up a string of heavyweight scalps during his four-month spell at the helm.
Getting May underway with a rollercoaster 3-2 win against historic foes and soon-to-be former Premier League champions Liverpool, United have lost just a pair of their 16 domestic appearances under their new boss.
With it set to be made official that talismanic Man City boss Pep Guardiola will be ending his historic decade-long spell at the Etihad this weekend, United fans believed that this is their best chance since Sir Alex Ferguson to mount a legitimate title charge next season.
🚨 Michael Carrick’s new deal at Man United, signed and completed as expected.
It will be valid until June 2028 plus option until 2029. pic.twitter.com/Yv3gc5hda2
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 18, 2026
The record-breaking Fernandes
While Bruno Fernandes might have been heavily linked with a bank-breaking move to Saudi Arabia last summer, the Old Trafford hierarchy made it abundantly clear that they had no interest in parting ways with their influential skipper.
Eventually rejecting the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of fellow Man United icon and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernandes has embarked on a record-breaking campaign in the red half of Manchester.
At the heart of everything positive that United have produced since Carrick’s seismic return back in January, the one-time Sporting Lisbon youngster has underlined his status as a modern era hero at Old Trafford.
Finally registering a remarkable 20th Premier League assist of the season during United’s thrilling 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, Fernandes joins the all-star duo of former Man City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and Arsenal icon Thierry Henry as the only players to register 20 assists in a single campaign.
With it no secret that United are now desperate to get the 31-year-old tied down to a bumper new deal, Fernandes is also expected to play a leading role for Portugal at next month’s World Cup in North America.
Likewise, almost universally regarded as the standout contender to be crowned as the 2026 PFA Player of the Year, United’s record-breaking captain has also reportedly made it clear that he sees himself retiring at Old Trafford.
If United are to mount a genuine title charge next season and reestablish themselves as the Premier League’s ultimate poster boy, then Fernandes will have more than a leading role to play.
✅ Thierry Henry
✅ Kevin De Bruyne
🆕 Bruno FernandesWatch all 20 assists from each record holder 👇
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 17, 2026
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