So, it’s finally happened. Ruben Amorim is out, and Michael Carrick is back in the hot seat at Old Trafford. If you feel like we’ve been here before, you’re not alone. It’s Jan. 15, 2026, and the chaos at Manchester United is somehow both shocking and entirely predictable. After those back-to-back draws against Wolves and Leeds finally broke the board's patience, the "interim" tag is back in play, though notably, the club is calling Carrick "Head Coach" for the rest of the season.
Honestly, the mood around Carrington is a weird mix of "here we go again" and a strange, quiet relief.
The Big Manchester United FC News Today: Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 Shift
The biggest talking point in man u fc news today isn't just who’s in charge, but how they’re going to play. Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system always felt like a square peg in a round hole with this current squad. It never quite clicked. Carrick, fresh from his stint at Middlesbrough, is expected to bin that immediately.
He’s going back to basics. A flat back four. A 4-2-3-1 that actually lets Bruno Fernandes play as a proper Number 10 again.
This is huge. Under Amorim, Bruno looked lost, drifting into wide areas or dropping too deep to see the ball. Now, he’s back in the engine room's cockpit. But there’s a catch. Moving to a two-man midfield means there’s an extra spot to fight for alongside Kobbie Mainoo. And with Casemiro’s contract winding down in June, the pressure is on.
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The Midfield Dilemma and Transfer Truths
You might have heard the rumors about Joao Gomes from Wolves. Yes, Atletico Madrid is sniffing around, and United has been watching him closely. He’s 24, a Brazilian international, and exactly the kind of "battle-tested" player Carrick likes.
But don't hold your breath for a signing this week.
According to ESPN’s Mark Ogden, the higher-ups have basically told Carrick he has to work with what he’s got. The club spent a staggering £215 million last summer on the likes of Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Bryan Mbeumo. The coffers are, well, not exactly overflowing. They’re keeping their "powder dry" until the summer. It’s a risky strategy, especially with the Manchester Derby looming this Saturday.
Injury Updates: The Derby Selection Headache
The medical room is a busy place right now. Matthijs de Ligt has missed the last nine games with a lower back issue that just won't go away. He’s doing light individual work, but he’s a major doubt for the City game.
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Then there’s Harry Maguire. He’s been out since November. He’s back on the grass, but not with the main group.
On the bright side? Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo are back. Their nations (Ivory Coast and Cameroon) got knocked out of AFCON, and they both returned to training on Wednesday. That’s a massive boost for a frontline that has looked toothless lately. We also have Noussair Mazraoui still away with Morocco—they’ve made the final, so don’t expect him back until the Arsenal game on the 25th.
The Lisandro Martinez Bombshell
The most emotional bit of man u fc news today came from "The Butcher" himself. Lisandro Martinez gave a candid interview to AFA Estudio where he admitted he seriously considered retiring during his ACL recovery.
Imagine that.
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The guy is only 27. He described it as a "mental and physical imbalance." He’s back now, having made his 100th appearance against Burnley last week, but reports of a training ground bust-up with Amorim before the Portuguese coach left suggest things haven't been easy behind the scenes. Carrick needs a fully focused Martinez if they’re going to stop Erling Haaland this weekend.
Why the Brighton FA Cup Exit Still stings
Sunday was grim. A 2-1 loss at home to Brighton. Out of the FA Cup in the third round for the first time in over a decade. Darren Fletcher was in the dugout for that one, and it was a mess.
- Brajan Gruda scored early.
- Danny Welbeck—because it’s always a former player—doubled it.
- Benjamin Sesko got a late header, but it was too little, too late.
To make matters worse, Shea Lacey, the highly-rated teenager, got sent off for dissent in stoppage time. And let’s not even talk about Bruno Fernandes’ X account getting hacked during the game with "Get rid of INEOS" posts. The club had to issue a formal statement to calm everyone down. It was peak "Banter Era" United.
The Actionable Path Forward
If United is going to save this season, the work starts now. Carrick doesn't have time for a honeymoon period. Here is what needs to happen:
- Fix the Shape: The 4-2-3-1 must provide more protection for the center-backs. No more being cut open on the counter-attack like they were against Brighton.
- Trust the Youth: With Toby Collyer nearing fitness after his calf injury at West Brom, Carrick might need to integrate him sooner rather than later.
- The Bruno Factor: If Bruno isn't happy, the team doesn't function. Carrick’s first job is to sit his captain down and ensure he isn't looking for the exit door after the World Cup.
United sits 7th in the table, 17 points behind Arsenal. The Champions League is the only goal left. It’s a tall order for a man whose last full-time job was at Middlesbrough, but Carrick knows the "United Way" better than most.
Whether that’s enough to stop the rot remains to be seen. Keep an eye on the team sheet this Saturday; that first XI will tell us everything we need to know about the new era.