Manchester United Interim boss Michael Carrick has been named Premier League manager of the month for January 2026. The 44-year-old received the honor on Friday after a transformative first month at Old Trafford. According to Manchester United, Carrick beat off competition from Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Chelsea’s Liam Rosenior to claim the award.
Carrick was appointed on 13 January following the sacking of Ruben Amorim and oversaw two league games before the end of the month. Both games resulted in high-profile wins, starting with a 2-0 victory over rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford. They then won a 3-2 comeback win against league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Sky Sports reports that these results helped propel United into the top four.
“It’s nice and it shows we’ve had a really good start, you know, but let’s be honest, it’s not just about me,” Carrick said in a statement released by the club. “I think it’s about everyone, you know – it’s about the staff, the coaching staff, the backroom staff, the players for sure. It shows that we’ve had a good start, which is really nice.”
The Premier League also confirmed this Brentford Striker Igor Thiago won the Player of the Month award. Thiago scored five goals in January, including a hat-trick against Everton. The Brazilian striker also signed a new long-term contract with the Bees until 2031 on the same day he won the award, according to beIN SPORTS.
Carrick’s impact has been credited with restoring a more direct attacking identity to the side. Statistics provided by the Premier League show that United are producing almost twice as many direct attacks compared to the beginning of the season. “The boys have been good,” added Carrick. “It’s not easy with the change and to get going and perform the way they’ve done in different types of games has probably been as nice as anything.”
United’s winning streak under Carrick finally reached four games with victories over Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur. However, the run was halted by a 1-1 draw at West Ham United on Tuesday. It took a late equalizer from Benjamin Sesko to maintain Carrick’s unbeaten start as manager.
“We were definitely not at our best,” Carrick told MUTV after the draw in east London. “It’s a tough place to get to, they’ve made it tough, and we haven’t had that sharpness or that spark, really, to find the answers too often. But in the end, big credit to the boys, the spirit again in the final goal, and when we needed it. That’s great quality.”
Manchester United are currently fourth, one point ahead of Chelsea and three points ahead of sixth-placed Liverpool. The club prioritizes the return Champions League football after a difficult start to the 2025-26 campaign. Carrick is expected to remain in charge on an interim basis until the end of the current season.
United now face a short break before returning to Premier League action. Carrick will be looking to maintain his unbeaten record when his side travel to face Everton at Goodison Park. The tactical focus is expected to remain on the positioning of Bruno Fernandes, who has excelled in a more advanced role since the managerial change.
