Former England midfielder Carrick played 464 games in all competitions for United between 2006 and 2018, having been signed from Tottenham by Sir Alex Ferguson.
He has been out of work since he was sacked by Championship club Middlesbrough last June after after two and a half years in charge.
Carrick guided Boro to the Championship play-offs in the 2022-23 campaign, only for them to lose to Coventry in the semi-finals.
His side then narrowly missed out on the top six in successive campaigns, resulting in Carrick losing his job.
Wallsend-born Carrick does not boast the same managerial experience as Solskjaer, given he has had only one permanent role with Middlesbrough.
Following his retirement from a glittering playing career at Old Trafford, Carrick immediately joined Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff at United at the end of the 2017-18 season.
After the Portuguese was sacked, he was kept on as a first-team coach throughout Solskjaer’s 168-game reign.
Monday Night Club’s Rory Smith and ex-Manchester United player Phil Jones discuss why Man United appoint former players as interim managers, as Darren Fletcher takes on the role.
MANCHESTER United midfielder Mason Mount has found love.
I can reveal that the England international was seen with his arm around marketing executive Jordan Porter on a family trip to Lapland in Finland over the Christmas period.
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Mason Mount has gone public with his new girlfriend Jordan PorterThe Manchester United player was seen with his arm around Jordan on a family trip to LaplandCredit: supplied
It is understood that the couple met through Mason’s pal Ben Harris who is engaged to Jordan’s sister Jodie.
A source said: “Mason and Jordan have been friends for a long time after being introduced through Ben.
“Family is important to Mason so having Jordan on the Lapland trip meant a lot.
“Mason’s performance on the pitch has also improved so it looks like Jordan is a keeper.”
Mason shared a snap of himself with his arm around Jordan at Lapland with his 5.6million followers last month.
The footie ace also posted a glimpse of two red stockings under his Christmas tree, embroidered with an M for Mason and J for Jordan. His brother Lewis also shared a picture of their family to his 16,600 Instagram followers.
Mason was pictured next to Jordan and with his arm around his dad Tony.
The pair were first linked in February 2024 when they were both pictured with a group of friends at the v.
Mason and Jordan also joined Ben and Jodie on their trip to Ibiza in July.
Jordan is Head of Experiences for London-based event planning service, GP Management, and grew up in South East London.
Mason had previously stated that football was his number one priority over finding loveCredit: Getty
Asked about his relationship status, he said: “Football is my priority.”
It sounds like Jordan is his new No1.
Tim’s scored Ad
MOVIE star Timothee Chamalet is a huge football fan, supporting both Chelsea FC and French club AS Saint-Etienne – and now I can reveal he has been signed up by sports giant Adidas to film a huge World Cup ad.
The actor, who is dating Kylie Jenner, shot a top-secret campaign last month in Barcelona alongside Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, ex of Kylie’s sister Kendall, and British Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham.
A source tells me: “Adidas bosses were chuffed to bring Timothee on to the ad and paid a lucrative fee.
“It is believed the film will drop during the lead-up to the World Cup.”
Timothee has recently been on an epic press tour for his latest flick Marty Supreme, while mostly donning movie merch.
He’ll have to mix that up once the ad drops.
Jossa is strong for family
JACQUELINE JOSSA is determined to start 2026 in strong spirits, despite a probe into online death threats against her.
EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa had been sent menacing messages on social mediaCredit: BBC
But Jac who shares two daughters with husband Dan Osborne, is focusing her energy on her family and work.
A source said: “She trusts the police to investigate. She is not changing her routine and she is still fulfilling her commitments with family and work.
“She is very calm and content in the knowledge the police are dealing with it.”
Jacqueline posted Instagram snaps with the children and Dan in London’s Covent Garden last month.
She wrote: “I love this time of year so much. I love the age the kids are now. They are older but the magic is still here, it’s just different.”
It comes as the actress, who plays Lauren Branning in Albert Square, feared for her character when the soap’s top boss called her in for a meeting last year.
Of the flash-forward episode that aired on New Year’s Day, she said: “It’s always scary when you get called up to a meeting.
It’s either, ‘You’re going to be thrown off the roof of the Vic’ or it’s just a catch-up.”
Leo’s worry
LEONARDO DiCAPRIO says the film industry is “changing at lightning speed”.
The Hollywood star has bemoaned documentaries vanishing from cinemas and the fact viewers prefer to watch on streaming services.
In The Times’ Culture Mag, he added: “Do people still have the appetite?
“Or will cinemas become silos, like jazz bars?”
Tina will Corrie on
Tina O’Brien signed her new Coronation Street contract just before Christmas, it can be revealedCredit: Getty
CORRIE star Tina O’Brien has signed a new contract keeping her on the cobbles for another year.
The star, who began playing Sarah Platt in 1999, had a tough 2025, splitting from her husband Adam Crofts – father of her son Beau – after seven years of marriage.
Tina who also has daughter Scarlett with her former co-star Ryan Thomas, then revealed in November her beloved dad Steven had died.
A Corrie source said: “Tina had a very difficult 2025, so bosses wanted to reassure her there was nothing to worry about where her job was concerned. She put pen to paper just before the Christmas break.
“Obviously, there have been a lot of changes over the last few months and the last thing they wanted was for her to worry about her role on Corrie.
“She is very much adored on set and her character has got some big things coming up this year.”
Hopefully, 2026 is off to a better start . . .
Hannah Hope’s annual 2026 showbiz calendar
Cynthia Erivo and the Wicked: For Good cast will be hoping to triumph at the Golden Globe AwardsCredit: Getty
JAN: Dust off your sequins as 2026 season kicks off with the 83rd Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles on January 11.
Comedian Nikki Glaser will return as host, with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the running for gongs for their roles in Wicked: For Good, while Kpop Demon Hunters are up for their catchy track, Golden.
Rock band All Time Low will begin the UK leg of their Everyone’s Talking Tour on January 20 in Glasgow.
FEB: For the first time in its history, The Brit Awards will be heading up north to Manchester on February 28.
Jack Whitehall is back as host with pop star Tate McRae rumoured to perform at the star-studded show at the city’s Co-op Live Arena.
Fresh from the Strictly final, West End star Amber Davies will return to the stage as Elle Woods in the Legally Blonde musical at Leicester’s Curve Theatre on February 7.
The 2026 Grammys will hit Los Angeles on February 1 at the Crypto.com Arena.
Britain’s brand new boyband December 10 will release their debut single. The band consists of Cruz 19, Danny, 17, Hendrick, 19, John, 17, Josh, 17, Nicolas, 16, and Sean, 19.
Wolf Alice will be performing at the Teenage Cancer Trust Gigs at London’s Royal Albert HallCredit: Alamy
MAR: After the success of her album West End Girl, Lily Allen is set to kick off her album tour in Glasgow on March 2.
Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals returns in May for a nationwide tourCredit: BBC/Ray Burmiston
MAY: Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals returns in dazzling style.
Fans can see 11 pros – including Vito Coppola and Nancy Xu – take to the dance floor for the ultimate night out.
The nationwide tour, which travels around the country throughout May, kicks off at the Globe Theatre in Stockton-on-Tees on April 29.
Meanwhile, the glamour of the South of France will come alive with the 79th edition of The Cannes Film Festival on May 12.
JUN: A Glastonbury-shaped hole will be filled with the Isle of Wight Festival.
Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris and The Cure form the incredible line-up for the four-day festival which starts on June 18.
Following the global success of Wicked, pop star Ariana Grande will return to the stage for The Eternal Sunshine Tour, which begins on June 6 at the Oakland Arena in California.
Lewis Capaldi will perform at the Isle of Wight Festival with Glastonbury taking a year outCredit: Getty
JUL: Michael Bublé proves he does not just defrost for the festive season – as he headlines Blenheim Palace Festival in Oxfordshire on July 4.
Rapper Pitbull – aka Mr Worldwide – returns to the UK with special guest Kesha on July 10 for BST Hyde Park in London.
Lewis Capaldi will also be performing at the festival on July 11 and 12.
AUG: All Points East in London’s Victoria Park will see our favourites Zara Larsson, PinkPantheress and Lorde headline the festival on August 22.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs for three weeks from August 7, filling the city with the best theatre, comedy and music.
Zara Larsson will be performing at All Points East in London’s Victoria ParkCredit: Getty
SEP: The 31st National Television Awards will see your fave soap stars battle it out to be crowned the winner on September 8 at London’s O2 Arena.
Meanwhile the 2026 Emmy Awards are set to take place on September 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The nominations will be revealed on July 8.
Watch it
The long awaited sequel to The Devil Wears Prada is one of the films to look forward to in 2026Credit: Getty
ANNE HATHAWAY and Meryl Streep return in The Devil Wears Prada 2 on May 1.
Valentine’s Day just got even more romantic as Margot Robbie stars alongside Jacob Elordi in a new adaptation of Wuthering Heights, which is out on February 13.
Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow starring Milly Alcock will hit cinemas on June 26.
Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the gang return in Toy Story 5 on June 19.
Cillian Murphy stars in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple which is out on January 14.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says it is “impossible” to replace captain Bruno Fernandes, who is set for up to a month out with injury, but other players “must step up”.
When it comes to the greatest Premier League game ever, where do you even start?
Manchester United and Bournemouth served up an eight-goal thriller on Monday, which former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher described as the “best game” so far this season in the English top flight.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said: “That’s what makes the Premier League the greatest product in the world.
“For the majority of that Manchester United were absolutely fantastic. Bournemouth were not at the races at all in the first half but they were fantastic in the second half. What a game. Brilliant.
“I think we have just seen the best game of the Premier League season so far.”
The Red Devils famously played out a 5-5 draw at West Brom in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final match in charge of the club in 2013.
And United’s 4-4 draw against the Cherries was the 17th time the scoreline has occurred in the Premier League era.
But where does Monday’s match rank among some of the other remarkable contests we have seen down the years?
A T-shirt worn by Kobbie Mainoo’s half-brother was among the post-match talking points at Old Trafford – even after a game as thrilling as the 4-4 draw between Manchester United and Bournemouth.
Jordan Mainoo-Hames wore a ‘free Kobbie Mainoo’ T-shirt during the match, a move that risks making a delicate situation even more fraught.
Mainoo’s United future is the subject of huge debate, with head coach Ruben Amorim yet to hand him a single Premier League start this season.
Amorim has defended himself on numerous occasions against allegations he does not rate Mainoo and that he has no trust in United’s academy.
The 20-year-old was keen to join Napoli in the summer but United refused to sanction the move.
Mainoo was introduced to rapturous applause with just under 30 minutes left of Monday’s game against Bournemouth. It was his third-longest runout in a Premier League match this season, taking his minutes for the campaign to 302.
It is understood that Napoli are still keen to sign the England international – as are a large number of other clubs.
But United know if they were to let Mainoo leave for the remainder of the campaign to improve his chances of making England’s World Cup squad, they would have to spend significantly more to bring in a replacement because he is on relatively low wages.
Amorim was not asked about the T-shirt post-match, but spoke about Mainoo last Friday.
He refused to say if he would sanction a January move but he would welcome Mainoo seeking him out for a chat.
“I had some conversations with him, especially last year, and with other players, but about that subject, no, I didn’t speak with him,” said Amorim.
“I will be really pleased if Kobbie comes to talk to me about that. I just want my players happy.
“I understand every individual has their goals and the frustration doesn’t help anybody.
“I’m not going to say what I would say but I would talk to him.
“I am completely open, that is clear. I have my ideas and that is also clear. I will not change if I don’t believe it but I’m open to speak with any player. I love that.”
Amorim has not just upset Mainoo recently.
Before the Bournemouth game, he claimed 18-year-old defender Harry Amass was “struggling in the Championship” with Sheffield Wednesday, even though he is the club’s player of the month. In addition, he said 18-year-old forward Chido Obi was “not always a starter in the Under-21s”.
The comments are understood to have gone down badly with both player representatives and senior academy staff.
Both 18-year-olds posted on social media highlighting their achievements before later deleting their posts.
Amass posted a photo holding Sheffield Wednesday’s player of the month award for November with a smiling emoji, while Obi also posted an Instagram story showing him celebrating a goal for the Under-21s against Manchester City in August.
