Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of former midfielder Michael Carrick as caretaker head coach until the end of the season, marking a familiar and reassuring return to the Old Trafford dugout.

Carrick, 44, will be supported by an experienced backroom team that includes former England assistant Steve Holland, alongside Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion. The blend of tactical expertise and deep club knowledge is seen as a key strength as United look to stabilise and build momentum in the coming months.

This will not be Carrick’s first time leading the side on an interim basis. He previously oversaw a three-match spell as temporary manager in 2021 following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a period remembered for its calm management and positive results. He is now set for a high-profile return to the touchline when United face Manchester City in Saturday’s Premier League derby.

United dismissed Ruben Amorim on 5 January after 14 months in charge, with Darren Fletcher stepping in as caretaker for matches against Burnley and Brighton. Fletcher will now return to his role with the club’s under-18s, a move both parties believe will best support his long-term development within United’s coaching structure.

Speaking on the club’s Inside Carrington podcast, Carrick described his return as deeply meaningful.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to come back through the doors and be part of the club again,” he said. “It’s a big responsibility, a massive pleasure and a privilege to be here, but we want to do a good job – this place deserves that.”

Carrick held face-to-face discussions with United officials last Thursday and is understood to have made a strong impression on chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, particularly with his clear vision and calm leadership style.

Tactically, Carrick is expected to implement a 4-2-3-1 formation, signalling a shift away from the three-at-the-back system used under Amorim. The change is viewed internally as a move designed to restore balance, maximise attacking options and provide clarity to the squad during the transitional period.

While former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who both played for and managed United, also held talks with the club, Carrick ultimately emerged as the preferred option. Club sources indicate he was chosen for his hands-on coaching approach and strong connection with the current playing group.

Tributes have poured in from across the football world following the death of former Leeds United and Wales midfielder Terry Yorath, who has passed away at the age of 75 after a short illness, leaving behind a legacy defined by leadership, resilience and deep personal strength.

Yorath, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Leeds United’s modern history, scored 11 goals in 199 appearances for the club during a distinguished nine-year spell that began in 1967. His time at Elland Road coincided with one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, highlighted by winning the First Division title in 1974. He also collected runners-up medals in the FA Cup, European Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup, underlining Leeds’ consistent presence at the top of English and European football during that era.

On the international stage, Yorath was equally respected. He earned 59 caps for Wales, captaining his country on 42 occasions, a testament to the trust placed in him by teammates and coaches alike. After retiring from international football, he went on to manage Wales, guiding the national side to the brink of qualification for the 1994 World Cup finals. Although Wales narrowly missed out after a dramatic 2–1 defeat to Romania in their final qualifier, Yorath’s tenure is remembered for restoring belief and competitiveness to the team.

Beyond Leeds, Yorath enjoyed a varied and accomplished club career, with spells at Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur, Vancouver Whitecaps and Bradford City. He brought his playing days to a close with a single appearance for Swansea City, a fitting end in Welsh football for a man who gave so much to the national game.

Yorath’s life also intersected with one of English football’s darkest moments. As player-coach of Bradford City, he was present on the day of the Valley Parade fire in 1985, a tragedy that claimed the lives of 56 supporters and injured 270 others. His experiences from that day further shaped his reputation as a figure of compassion and dignity within the sport.

In a statement, his children paid a moving tribute to the man behind the footballing achievements. “To most he was a revered footballing hero, but to us he was dad; a quiet, kind and gentle man. Our hearts are broken but we take comfort knowing that he will be reunited with our brother, Daniel,” they said.

Neymar has extended his stay with Santos as he intensifies his push for a return to the Brazil national team and a place at this summer’s World Cup, underlining his determination to finish his international career on a high.

The 33-year-old forward, who rejoined his boyhood club in January 2025, has not featured for five-time world champions Brazil since 2023, largely due to a prolonged battle with injuries. However, his renewed commitment to Santos signals a clear focus on fitness, form and one final run on the global stage.

Despite managing persistent pain for much of last season, Neymar played a decisive role in keeping Santos in Brazil’s top flight. His influence peaked when it mattered most, scoring five goals in the club’s final five matches to steer them away from relegation and reaffirm his enduring quality.

Following the season, the former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain star underwent surgery on his left knee to repair a damaged meniscus. The procedure was aimed at restoring full fitness and strengthening his case for inclusion in the plans of Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the World Cup.

Confirming his contract extension in a video shared on Santos’ social media platforms, Neymar spoke emotionally about his bond with the club. “Santos is my place, I’m at home,” he said, addressing supporters directly. “It’s with you that I want to achieve the dreams that are still missing.”

Ancelotti has previously made it clear that Neymar’s return to the Seleção will depend on his physical condition. Speaking in October, the Italian coach stressed that Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, who has netted 79 times for his country, must be fully fit to earn a recall.

Neymar’s road back has been challenging. He spent a full year sidelined after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in October 2023 and later saw a potential international comeback delayed again by a muscle injury, forcing him to withdraw from the squad after a 17-month absence.

Nevertheless, his resilience and recent progress have kept hope alive. With Brazil set to face Scotland, Morocco and Haiti in Group C at the World Cup, which kicks off on 11 June across Canada, Mexico and the United States, Neymar’s extended stay at Santos represents both a personal statement and a calculated step towards one last World Cup appearance.