After leading Manchester United through an incredible two weeks that improved the atmosphere at Old Trafford, Michael Carrick was voted January’s Barclays Manager of the Month.
It would have been difficult for the former midfielder, who replaced Ruben Amorim in mid-January, to have a more taxing debut. Rather, he produced two outcomes that changed the course of the championship contest and revitalized United’s campaign.
In a performance that combined discipline and attacking desire, Michael Carrick defeated Manchester City 2-0 in the derby to start his brief tenure.
Days later, Mikel Arteta’s club suffered their first home league loss of the season as they traveled to the Emirates and defeated Arsenal 3-2 in an exciting match.
Those consecutive victories were especially significant. Those two January games, which were both against the top two teams in the Premier League standings, gave United twice as many points as they had in their last three games against weaker opponents.
Results against Burnley, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Leeds United had produced a mediocre return before Carrick arrived, and all three teams were in the bottom six.
The award puts Carrick in an elite group and is the first time he has received the monthly honor. It has only ever been won by seven head coaches or interim managers.
After Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who won the award in January 2019 after making an incredible start in the dugout, he is the second United manager to do so temporarily.
Mike Jackson at Burnley in April 2022, Mike Phelan at Hull City in August 2016, Rafael Benitez at Chelsea in April 2013, Phil Thompson at Liverpool in November 2001 and March 2002, and Darren Moore at West Bromwich Albion in April 2018 are other players who have accomplished the feat without permanently occupying the position.
The wait for English coaches is also over thanks to Carrick’s victory. Since Sean Dyche won it in April 2024 while he was at Everton, he is the only manager from England to do it.
He was the star of a four-man shortlist that also included Chelsea’s Liam Rosenior, AFC Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, and Dyche, who is currently at Nottingham Forest. Supporters’ votes and an expert panel’s decision were combined to determine the winner.
