Former Man Utd star Michael Carrick in ‘advanced talks’ with Championship club over manager job

Former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is in ‘advanced talks’ with Middlesbrough over the vacant managerial position at the Riverside Stadium, according to reports.

The 41-year-old is yet to dip his toes into permanent management following his retirement from playing in 2018, but has gained valuable coaching experience under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with the Red Devils. Carrick left United’s coaching team last year following the appointment of Ralf Rangnick on an interim-basis, and he oversaw three games in caretaker charge of the club before the German’s arrivals.

The ex-England international guided United to a 2-0 win against Villarreal in the Champions League group stage, while also earning a 1-1 draw with Chelsea and a 3-2 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League. According to Sky Sports, Carrick has been in advanced talks with Boro over the last 48 hours regarding the managerial vacancy in Teeside, with the club looking to appoint Chris Wilder’s successor in the ‘coming days’.

Wilder was sacked by the Championship team on 3 October following a 1-0 loss to bottom-of-the-table Coventry City two days prior - this their fifth defeat in their opening 11 games in all competitions. Middlesbrough have placed Leo Percovich in caretaker charge of the club while they search for the right candidate to replace Wilder, with the Uruguayan overseeing Boro’s win against Birmingham City and their back-to-back defeats to Millwall and Blackburn Rovers.

Sky adds that Carrick has been suggested to the Teeside team’s hierarchy by England manager Gareth Southgate, who has maintained a ‘strong relationship’ with club chairman Steve Gibson after his time as a player and manager at the Riverside. If successful, Carrick faces a tough test before the season-break for the World Cup next month, with five of Boro’s next seven games being held away from home and the club sat in the relegation zone as of writing.

During his three matches in charge of United, the former midfielder used both the 4-2-3-1 (against Villarreal and Arsenal) and 4-4-2 narrow formation (against Chelsea), maintaining a high press when out of possession and counter attacking style of play.