Carrick rejects short-term thinking amid rising manager turnover in 2026

Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick stays focused on long-term goals despite the rapid managerial changes sweeping English football in 2026.

United manager stays firm Manchester United's temporary coach Michael Carrick remains unfazed by the growing number of managerial dismissals across English football. The average tenure for a manager in England now falls below two years, yet Carrick shows no signs of altering his approach. His own previous stint at Middlesbrough lasted two years and eight months, a duration exceeded by only 20 current managers in the top four divisions. Since his return to Old Trafford 100 days ago on January 13, 20 new managers have been appointed, including two at struggling League Two side Barrow. Liam Rosenior was dismissed by Chelsea on Wednesday, just four days after Carrick's United secured a win at Stamford Bridge. ## No rush to short-term fixes Despite the constant managerial changes, Carrick insists he will not adopt a short-term mindset. He acknowledges the importance of immediate results but emphasizes the need to consider the bigger picture and future outlook. His philosophy centers on positivity and focusing on what can be achieved rather than dwelling on potential setbacks. Carrick stated, 'There are instant results and the next game being important; but there's definitely a responsibility, our thinking of what the future looks like and the bigger picture.' He added, 'I like to live my life in a positive way. I don't think of what could go wrong, that doesn't come into it. It's what can be achieved. What success looks like.' ## Champions League push in sight For Manchester United, success this season means securing a return to the Champions League after a two-year absence. A win over Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday could place them within reach of a top-five finish with a maximum of two points needed from their final four games. After that, the club's leadership will decide whether to offer Carrick a permanent role. Most supporters believe the improvements since Ruben Amorim's departure warrant giving him the job. ## Carrick plays it cool on future Carrick remains patient about his future at Manchester United, stating he is not pressuring the club for an immediate decision. He commented, 'In terms of deadline, it's not something I'm really chasing. It will become clear when it becomes clear.' Some critics argue against making his role permanent, pointing to the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as a cautionary tale. However, this perspective overlooks Solskjaer's achievements, including consecutive top-three finishes, brief periods as Premier League leaders, and a Europa League final appearance in 2021, which was lost on penalties due to a David de Gea miss. ## Past links don't dictate present Carrick and Solskjaer share a close relationship, having worked together in the past, despite competing to replace Amorim at United. Carrick expressed his respect for Solskjaer, saying, 'I've got the utmost respect for him. He's a close friend of mine and I worked closely with him when I was here. We did a lot of good things and came close.' He also emphasized that comparisons between past managers are irrelevant, stating, 'You can compare all sorts of different situations with managers, coaches and teams over the years. But it's irrelevant really. It really is. That's not a negative or a positive. It just doesn't have a link at all.' Carrick insists the current team is different regardless of who leads them.