Ratcliffe ready to ditch Carrick and appoint 55-yo manager fans have said they don’t want – report

Michael Carrick’s hopes of landing the Manchester United job permanently have been complicated as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s position on Gareth Southgate comes to light. Hesitation Carrick has done a tremendous job since he was appointed to replace Ruben Amorim in the United dugout until the end of the season. During Amorim’s tenure, United proved to be an inconsistent side, with the manager becoming more associated with dramatic press appearances than with tangible on-pitch achievements. Carrick has been the exact opposite, and results and performances have significantly improved since his arrival. The legendary midfielder has won eight, drawn two and lost two of the 12 games he has taken charge of. United sit in third place in the Premier League table and are firmly on course to secure a return to the Champions League. No club has picked up more points in the league since Carrick took over the reins at Old Trafford. But despite the drastic turnaround he has overseen, United remain undecided about giving him the job on a permanent basis. While he has impressed, there are some within the football leadership group who believe that he would not be the best long-term fit. United continue to be linked to other managers including Julian Nagelsmann, Andoni Iraola, Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti and Unai Emery. According to TEAMtalk, United co-owner Ratcliffe is also a fan of Southgate and views him as a solid candidate. Managerial hunt update TEAMtalk claim that the INEOS billionaire is a “firm admirer” of Southgate, whose name has been discussed internally. The news outlet explains, “Ratcliffe’s respect for Southgate and his body of work is long-standing, and the Man Utd co-owner has consistently felt that the 55-year-old’s profile would align well with the demands of Old Trafford.” “That admiration has not faded, and TEAMtalk understands Ratcliffe has been keen for Southgate to be considered among the options.” Carrick remains the frontrunner to become the next permanent United boss, but Ratcliffe’s Southgate stance certainly doesn’t help his cause. The process is being led by director of football Jason Wilcox, in close consultation with director of recruitment Christopher Vivell and chief executive Omar Berrada. Southgate has not worked in football management since July 2024, when he stepped down from his position as England manager. His resignation came just two days after England’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. Over eight years at the helm, he led the Three Lions in 102 matches. When Southgate was floated as a potential successor for Erik ten Hag two years ago, a section of United fans strongly opposed his potential appointment. Many of them took to sociel media and made it clear how they felt about the 55-year-old. United are next in action on Monday when they host Brentford. Kick-off is at 20:00 BST. 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 Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!