Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick has been named the Premier League Manager of the Month for January 2026. The 44-year-old received the honor on Friday following a transformative first month at Old Trafford. According to Manchester United, Carrick beat competition from Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Chelsea’s Liam Rosenior to claim the award.
Carrick was appointed on Jan. 13 following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim and oversaw two league fixtures before the end of the month. Both matches resulted in high-profile victories, starting with a 2-0 win over rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford. This was followed by a 3-2 comeback victory against league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Sky Sports reports that these results helped propel United back into the top four positions.
“It’s nice and it shows that we’ve had a very good start, you know, but let’s be honest, it’s not just about me really,” 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 definitely. It shows that we’ve had a good start, which is very pleasing.”
The Premier League also confirmed that 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 as his award win, 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 United are producing nearly double the number of direct attacks compared to earlier in the season. “The boys have been good,” Carrick added. “It’s not easy with change and to click into gear and to perform the way they have done in different types of games has probably been as pleasing as anything.”
United’s winning streak under Carrick eventually reached four matches with victories over Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur. However, the run was halted on Tuesday by a -1-1 draw at West Ham United. A late equalizer from Benjamin Sesko was required to maintain Carrick’s unbeaten start to life as head coach.
“We definitely weren’t at our best,” Carrick told MUTV after the draw in east London. “It’s a tough place to come, they made it difficult, and we just didn’t quite have 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 late goal, and when we needed it. It’s a great quality to have.”
Manchester United currently sit in fourth place, one point ahead of Chelsea and three points clear of sixth-placed Liverpool. The club is prioritizing a return to 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 look to maintain his unbeaten record when his side travels to face Everton at Goodison Park. Tactical focus is expected to remain on the positioning of Bruno Fernandes, who has excelled in a more advanced role since the managerial change.
