MICHAEL CARRICK has emerged as the favourite to take over from Darren Fletcher as Manchester United’s caretaker coach.
Michael Carrick, 44, is hopeful of seeing off former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to take the caretaker role after the pair held talks with Manchester United last week.
The club hasn’t made a final decision on the appointment yet, but SunSport revealed that Carrick has gained momentum.
Insiders say Solskjaer has “bunkered down” of late, having previously been seen regularly since relocating to England’s north-west after being sacked by Besiktas in August 2025.
The Red Devils’ hierarchy wants the new caretaker coach to be in charge by the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Saturday, January 17.
And here’s everything we know about the woman who will be supporting him every step of the way – wife Lisa Roughead, who was also his high school sweetheart.
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Who is Michael Carrick?
Carrick was born on July 28, 1981, in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear.
He rose from local youth football to become one of England’s most decorated players.
Carrick started playing at age four with Wallsend Boys Club, where his father volunteered, and trialed with clubs including Middlesbrough, Arsenal and Chelsea by the age of nine.
He developed into a fine defensive midfielder, joining West Ham‘s academy before breaking through into the first team.
He moved across the capital to join Spurs in 2004, and following two successful seasons in North London was signed by Man U for £18.6million in 2006.
Carrick’s career peaked with the Red Devils, where he played until his retirement.
He won every major domestic and European trophy with the club, including five Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup and Club World Cup.
Internationally, he earned 34 caps for England, featuring in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
On March 12, 2018, Carrick announced he would retire from playing at the end of the 2017/18 season.
He made his 464th and final appearance for the club as a player on May 13, 2018, in a 1-0 home win against Watford.
A coaching role under Jose Mourinho at United was his next career step.
After shadowing the staff on match days, Carrick began his duties in July 2018, staying on through Solskjaer’s appointment five months later.
When Solskjaer left in November 2021, Carrick served successfully as caretaker manager for three matches before Ralf Rangnick’s arrival.
After a break from football, Carrick returned as Middlesbrough head coach in October 2022.
After leading them to the Championship playoffs in 2022/23, he was sacked in June 2025 after missing out on top-six finishes for the following two campaigns.
Who is Michael Carrick’s wife Lisa?
Carrick and Lisa Roughead have been together since the age of 15, having become inseparable during their time together at school in Tyneside.
She supported him early in his career, including flying to Germany together during his playing days with West Ham and Tottenham.
The couple married on June 16, 2007, in Wymondham, Leicestershire, coinciding with the wedding of Toni Poole and Alex Curran.
This caused a massive headache for other WAGs, who had to decide which of the two weddings to go to.
Lisa and Michael have two children – a daughter named Louise and a son called Jacey – but they prefer to keep them out of the public spotlight.
Carrick and his family still live in the north-west.
His son, Jacey, is in the United academy, while his wife also works in the area as a Pilates instructor.
In February 2014, Lisa publicly defended her husband on Twitter following Manchester United’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Olympiacos.
Roy Keane had criticised Carrick’s post-match interview as “flat”, likening it to the team’s poor performance.
Keane remarked: “That interview was just like the performance – flat.
“He should say a bit more, have a bit more urgency, even in the interview.
“That just reflected United’s performance tonight – flat, with no urgency.”
In response, Lisa tweeted: “Roy Keane what a **** says anything to provoke a reaction… That’s all… Done…” – a post she hastily deleted after it went viral.
