High-flying PL side were this close to ruining United’s plans by appointing their new saviour as boss – report

Manchester United have experienced a hectic couple of weeks off the pitch. Michael Carrick appointment The Red Devils sacked Ruben Amorim the day after their 1-1 draw with Leeds United. They subsequently appointed Darren Fletcher for two matches against Burnley and Brighton and Hove Albion. Michael Carrick was eventually named interim manager until the end of the season, beating competition from former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Carrick has since selected his backroom staff, consisting of Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Travis Binnion and Northern Irishman Jonny Evans. The former midfielder will make his second Manchester United managerial debut against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime. Nonetheless, things could have been different if one Premier League club had followed through on its original plans. Brighton plans TalkSPORT report that, “in 2024, Carrick became a leading contender to take over from Roberto De Zerbi as Brighton boss.” Fabian Hurzeler eventually got the job, but Carrick was very close to securing the position; however, he opted to sign a new deal at Middlesbrough instead. TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook claimed that, “Carrick, genuinely, I think if he does well in this caretaker spell, I think there will be clubs who are looking at him. West Ham for one.” He added, “I think he was a lot closer to getting that Brighton job before Fabian Hurzeler was appointed than a lot of people realised. So that to me is the level.” The journalist also heaped praise on Brighton owner Tony Bloom and claimed, “if he was willing to entertain the idea of appointing Michael Carrick, that’s good enough for me.” Long-term plans Whilst the Champions League winner is only signed up until the end of the season, with United searching for a permanent replacement to take charge in the summer, he may have other ambitions. The Peoples Person relayed that sources close to Carrick believe he thinks he can secure the job on a permanent basis if the interim spell goes well between now and the end of the season. Michael Carrick Managerial Stats: TeamFromToGames PlayedGames WonGames DrawnGames LostWin % Manchester United (caretaker)21 November 20212 December 2021321066.67 Middlesbrough24 October 20224 June 202513663244946.32 Career Total——13965254946.76 The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.