They are at the first now. It will be 12 days until United go to Everton.

For Michael Carrick, who was only appointed on 13 January, it is a good chance for his squad to “refresh”, to allow some players to “clean up their niggles and strains” and “take a bit of a breather”.

But it is also an opportunity to reflect.

Carrick did not try and claim Benjamin Sesko’s injury-time equaliser meant their 1-1 draw at West Ham felt like an extension of his four-match winning run, rather than the end of it, which it was.

However, he did acknowledge the overall assessment of the last month has to be good.

“In the grand scheme of things, we take the point, dust ourselves down a little bit and assess it,” he said.

“If you take it over a five-game period, to just have one draw in there is a big positive.”

Carrick’s gamble pays off

Carrick’s initial victories over title challengers Manchester City and Arsenal were unexpected. The ones against Fulham and Tottenham were anticipated but did not arrive without problems that had to be solved.

Combined with the failings of Chelsea and Liverpool, the end outcome is United are fourth, with a handy, but by no means pivotal, advantage in the hunt for a Champions League return, something few could visualise in the wake of Ruben Amorim’s dismissal following the draw at Leeds on 4 January.

“We know how hard it is to put a run together in this league,” said Carrick, whose side are now unbeaten in nine league games, which spanned three managers, including initial interim Darren Fletcher.

“Sometimes it comes naturally, it flows and everything clicks. You look really dangerous and there’s a spark. Sometimes it’s a little bit stodgy.”

The question being asked of Carrick is whether his side can deliver winning performances against opposition they are expected to beat.

Many felt West Ham were in that category, even though Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were aiming for their fourth win in five league games and they had led Chelsea 2-0 in the one that got away.

Carrick did not manage a victory.

What he did do was take a risk to try and get something from a game that appeared lost.

When Manchester United drew against West Ham at Old Trafford in December, Amorim’s only substitution involving an offensive player was Mason Mount for Joshua Zirkzee, 12 minutes from time.

His last change was one defender, Lisandro Martinez, for another, Luke Shaw. Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and young forward Shea Lacey remained on the bench.

At London Stadium, Carrick gambled. Not so much with Sesko, who replaced Matheus Cunha, who had been ineffective, a charge that could be levelled at all United’s attacking players on this occasion.

It was through his introduction of Zirkzee for full-back Diogo Dalot eight minutes from time where the risk and reward element came.

Carrick switched to a back three and pushed men forward.

He knew there was a chance of conceding a second. It didn’t happen, thanks to two superb saving tackles from another substitute, Leny Yoro, and a Senne Lammens save.

It meant as the clocked ticked past five minutes of injury-time played of the seven added, Carrick’s side still had a chance. Sesko’s brilliant finish ensured they did not head home empty handed.

“It’s always worth it to try and get something out of the game,” said Carrick of his substitution.

“We all want the perfect kind of performance, to be the best we can be.

“Sometimes it doesn’t quite happen, but it doesn’t mean you give up.

“Obviously we went for it, with three at the back and the rest all attacking basically to try and find that goal. That’s the way we should do it.”

It’s an attitude straight out of the Sir Alex Ferguson playbook. He was always prepared to gamble in order to get a desired outcome and felt it was why he enjoyed so many late successes in his stellar career.

An 87th-minute winner against Arsenal, a 90th-minute winner against Fulham, and now a 95th-minute equaliser against West Ham.

Carrick is pleased with 13 points out of 15 from his first block of games.

As he regroups before the next run of three matches, he will be just as delighted at the spirit and never-say-die attitude that helped to get them.

A lot of words have been spoken since the sacking of Ruben Amorim about a reconnection with Manchester United’s DNA.

There are plenty who question whether it even exists.

If there is such a thing, this is it. United snatching a winner, deep into stoppage-time, just as it seemed victory would prove elusive. Michael Carrick’s post-match assessment summed up the view of many.

Benjamin Sesko is entitled to the headlines after delivering the dramatic ending.

But when the dust settles on the 3-2 win over Fulham, United fans may start to look back further to Ruben Amorim’s ill-fated 14 months in charge and wonder whether their club effectively wasted a year.

Amorim presided over victories like this.

The 5-4 epic against Lyon in the Europa League last April was even more dramatic given it involved two goals in the final minute of extra time.

Go back further and Carrick played in them. He was an injury-time substitute before Michael Owen scored his famous Manchester derby winner at Old Trafford in 2009.

The feeling doesn’t change.

“It’s the best feeling,” said Carrick.

“Some of the best moments here I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of, when you get a moment of elation and excitement like that.

“There’s no better place, in front of the Stretford End – and it ends up meaning a bit more.

“People leave here with more than just a United win. It puts layers on top of that through the connection and the emotion. It’s why we all love it so much.

“That excitement is part of this club. It’s not always the easiest way. We’d like to win games a little bit more comfortably than that.

“But certainly, when they come along, it’s pretty special.”

Rebuilding after Amorim’s ill-fated tenure

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko is mobbed by ecstatic team-mates after his injury-time winner against Fulham

Let’s get a few facts out there.

Manchester United were winning their third Premier League game in a row, in the third game of Carrick’s second spell in charge. It took Amorim 36 to do that and only the once did he manage three-in-a-row – or even successive wins – in his entire 14 months at Old Trafford.

In responding to victories for Chelsea and Liverpool the previous day, United returned to fourth spot in the table. Amorim never had them placed so highly at the end of a match round.

Including his first spell in 2021, Carrick has now won four of his five league games in charge.

He is the third United manager to achieve that, following Sir Matt Busby in 1946 and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019. It took Amorim 12 league games to win four – and he won one out of the next 10. Amorim’s record of 1.23 points per game in the Premier League is the lowest of all United managers since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.

Then there is the formation – and personnel.

Evidently, United have not resolved their defensive frailties, but the switch to four at the back from three has not made them worse.

That fundamental tactical switch from Amorim’s regime has been key in creating the space for Kobbie Mainoo’s return. Mainoo failed to start a single league game under Amorim this season after he was pitched in direct competition with skipper Bruno Fernandes for a starting spot.

Mainoo cruised through the Fulham game. Defensively, supposedly his weakness, he was solid. Going forward his passing and ability to find space was invaluable as Carrick’s side sought ways through the opposition defences.

“Kobbie’s performance was very good today in so many ways,” said Carrick.

“There was a lot of work for Kobbie and Casemiro to do in the middle of the pitch. That was without the ball, and I thought he was terrific in that.

“With the ball, and I’ve spoken about it before, he’s not fazed.

“He understands what’s needed and he comes up with moments of quality.

“It’s what we have come to expect from him but you forget how young he is.

“He’s still got loads to come but seeing him today, playing with that kind of confidence in their belief, is a real joy.”

Next up for United, they entertain Tottenham in a rematch of last season’s Europa League final.

In that fixture in Bilbao, Amorim failed to come up with a gameplan to beat a Tottenham side that were awful last season and have not improved much domestically in the current campaign.

The visitors will though be encouraged by their own weekend result, coming from two down to draw with Manchester City and relieve some pressure on Thomas Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou after he had beaten United in Bilbao.

Defeat in that win or bust encounter for a place in this season’s Champions League cost United massively, in both prestige and finance. Amorim could have been sacked then.

Instead, the club kept faith. But after the 1-1 draw with Leeds at the beginning of last month, United’s powerbrokers were not willing to risk missing out on Europe for a second season in a row.

In the space of three games, Carrick has put the club into a Champions League position, and built a five-point buffer on seventh-placed Brentford, knowing sixth would open up entry to the Europa League, which was United’s stated aim for the season as a whole.

Debate will continue about whether Carrick should get the job.

But there is little argument now on whether Amorim should have been dismissed, only if he should have been there in the first place.

As one critic who knows United well observed many months ago, “apart from his press conferences, what is he actually any good at?”

Former United head coach Ruben Amorim said last month he expected to bring someone in during the window.

However, the club’s refusal to divert the £65m they had been willing to spend on long-term target Antoine Semenyo – who opted to join Manchester City from Bournemouth – was a source of frustration for the Portuguese.

United have been linked with a number of central midfield players, including former Wolves skipper Ruben Neves who now plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Hilal.

After Carrick confirmed left-sided utility man Patrick Dorgu would be out for “a number of weeks” through injury, there have been suggestions the club might look to cover the Denmark international’s absence.

Interim head coach Carrick was coy when asked specifically about the club’s position as he spoke in a news conference to preview Sunday’s Premier League encounter with Fulham.

But he did leave the door open for business being done.

“Never say never,” Carrick said. “A lot can happen and situations can be thrown up.

“Sometimes it is in our control, sometimes not. I am pretty calm. We have shown what we are capable of as a team.”

Joshua Zirkzee remains at the centre of interest as it remains to be seen if he returns to Italy, with Juventus considering whether to make a move for the former Bologna forward who cost United £36.5m 18 months ago.

Zirkzee has recovered from a minor injury and is available for the Fulham game.

“Josh has just been trying to work to get fit,” said Carrick. “It was great to have him training with the group the first time and I am just looking forward to working with him.”

Carrick accepts the issue of Bruno Fernandes’ future is “on the agenda a little bit”, with the United captain due to assess his plans at the end of the season.

However, Carrick said that situation would be dealt with “further down the line”.

Don’t underestimate Fulham – Carrick

Carrick has started his 17-match stint in charge until the end of the season in the best manner possible.

Victories against the Premier League’s top two, Arsenal and Manchester City, have catapulted United into the top four for the first time this season.

However, sceptics argue they have beaten title contenders before and it is against the top flight’s lesser lights that they tend to struggle.

Since late November, United have failed to beat Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth and Wolves at Old Trafford in league games. Three of those sides are in the bottom eight, while Everton had a man sent off after 13 minutes.

Marco Silva’s in-form Fulham had the better of a 1-1 draw against United at Craven Cottage in August.

Fulham have also taken 17 points from their past eight games, only one of which has ended in defeat, and they would close to just one point back from United if they were to win this weekend.

Little wonder Carrick is taking nothing for granted.

“Marco has made Fulham into a really good team,” he said.

“Just because we are at home, taking anything for granted is bang out of order.”

On Sunday, United followed up their Manchester derby triumph over rivals City with a thrilling 3-2 victory at Premier League leaders Arsenal to make it two wins out of two since Michael Carrick’s appointment as interim head coach on 13 January.

The result means United sit fourth in the table and well placed in the chase for a Champions League place next term.

However, it is the manner of both performances and the way in which the club has operated behind the scenes since Carrick took the helm that has instilled hope United are heading in the right direction again.

“The change in Manchester United over a two-game period is incredible,”former England striker Rooney said on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, which you can now listen to on BBC Sounds.

“Michael and his coaches deserve a lot of praise for that.

“Just putting an attitude into the players and a focus, and a togetherness into them which, if we’re honest, we didn’t see under Ruben Amorim.

“Manchester United went there believing they could win the game. They didn’t create a whole lot of chances, but you always felt they had a good control of the game.

“Arsenal started well. And then when Manchester United went a goal down, the reaction was great.

“Manchester United deserved the win.”

‘A calmness about the place’

Rooney believes the actions of Carrick and his staff away from the first team have also contributed to the sense the club is beginning to move back to what made them so successful in years gone by.

“There’s a calmness about the place,” Rooney added.

“I was watching the under-16s on Saturday morning and they were all there again. Michael Carrick was there, Steve Holland, Jason Wilcox, all the coaches were there and so on, which you’ve heard me talking about a lot, that connection with the academy.

“What I saw, not just from Michael, but the other coaches, Johnny Evans as well, is a real calmness and a belief.

“Michael told me how good the players were and he felt he had to stop the session early because they were that good and he wanted to bottle it up.

“And that’s proven today. An absolute incredible performance.”

A jubilant away end sang, presumably tongue in cheek, about winning the league and while that might be out of reach this season, winning the title was the norm under Sir Alex Ferguson.

United won 13 league titles with the Scot at the helm, with Rooney a key part of five of those successes.

“You go back to the United DNA and United as a club and things you want to see,” he added.

“I was there for 13 years, so [there are] things you want to see at that football club which I haven’t seen there for a long time. And I thought it was absolutely brilliant.

“You’ve got all the coaching staff all there watching the under-18s play. And then again, on a Saturday morning, they’re all there watching the under-16s play after the training session.

“These are all things which used to happen in the past and it makes a big difference. In my eyes they have taken a step towards getting the club back a little bit closer to where they used to be when the club was successful.

“I know how Michael works and I knew what he could do with this team. I am really pleased with the start he has made because he and his coaches have been criticised as well and have gone and competed with the best teams in the league.”

Carrick inherited Keane’s number 16 shirt when he joined United from Tottenham in 2006.

He went on to win five Premier League titles and the Champions League but United were at the start of their downward spiral when they were beaten by Olympiakos in Europe’s top-tier competition in 2014.

Carrick gave what Keane felt was a dour interview after that match and the Irishman’s assessment triggered a fierce response from Carrick’s wife Lisa at the time.

Although she quickly deleted an X-rated social media post, Keane has evidently not forgotten and branded her “a big mouth” when he assessed this week’s appointments at Old Trafford on the latest Stick to Football podcast.

Keane also criticised the appointment of Jonny Evans to Carrick’s coaching staff, in addition to that of ex-England assistant boss Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate, the former Leeds and Real Madrid defender, who previously managed Middlesbrough and was part of Carrick’s staff at the Riverside.

The former United skipper and Gary Neville will both be part of Sky Sports’ coverage of the Manchester derby on Saturday, providing another platform for controversy.

“They’re not putting more pressure on me,” Carrick said. “I don’t feel that.

“There are plenty of opinions around, some positive, some not too much. It’s totally irrelevant in terms of what I focus on.

“There’s a lot that can be said, it’s the way of the world. I’m not going to pay too much attention to that.

“For me, the players and staff, we focus on how we’re going to succeed.”

Asked about the personal attack by Keane, Carrick said: “It didn’t bother me.”

The Manchester United head coach said he had not been set any targets for his 17 games in charge but spoke about European qualification being a “step forward”.

He also said he had spoken to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and members of the Glazer family when they held their monthly board meeting at Carrington on Thursday, although his primary contact is with director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada.

“The ownership group were in and around it,” said Carrick. “It was nice to see them and meet them.

“We were able to share a few things and they wished all the very best.”

‘United is not soulless, there is still a magic’

United go into the Manchester derby with City at Old Trafford in poor form, with one win in their past seven games.

They have dropped six points in their past three league matches – against Wolves, Leeds and Burnley – and are seventh in the table.

However, with a trip to leaders Arsenal next weekend, Carrick could easily find his side in the bottom half of the table before a home game against Fulham on 1 February, when fan protests are planned against the ownership.

However, Carrick dismissed the idea of United being a fallen giant at a low ebb.

“I certainly don’t think it’s soulless,” he said. “I think there’s a magic around this place, you can’t help but feel that.

“Part of my role and responsibility is shaping what we want to look like going forward. What happens on the pitch is one thing but certainly the culture as well, how we think, how we act, how we behave, what it means for us to be here, is part of my responsibility.

“I’ve been back for three days and there’s nothing I’ve looked at that’s red-flagged anything.

“The players have been really good, willing to listen, willing to learn, wanting to do better, wanting to put better performances in – that’s the feeling I’ve got.

“Everyone’s desperate to do well and I’ve got a lot of belief in this group individually and collectively.”

‘Errs on the side of disrespectful’

Darren Fletcher said he sought the blessing of his former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson before taking interim charge at Old Trafford and Keane claimed that the 84-year-old, along with former chief executive David Gill, are “hanging around like a bad smell”.

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand disagrees with his former team-mate and told BBC Radio 5 Live that Ferguson doesn’t have the influence that people think.

“I think his experience is felt there,” Ferdinand said. “To say hanging around like a bad smell errs on the side of disrespectful.

“The likes of Fletcher and Carrick do call him. They respect him. They have seen most of their career playing alongside him. Why wouldn’t you call on that experience?

“David Gill, these guys are Man Utd fans. Why aren’t they going to be around the club? I think that is more personal and Roy’s situation around the manager. I wouldn’t agree with that myself.”

Ferdinand doesn’t agree with criticism over Carrick’s appointment and said it was vital for the club to bring in “a steady person”.

“I don’t think it’s an easy call for the people making this decision,” he added. “What they have done is gone with someone who knows a good amount of the players, knows the club and is going to get a team around him with a blend of experience to give him the best chance possible.

“I think Carrick, in this situation right now, where else are you going to look around and say ‘I think that is better’ that is achievable and gettable?”

Carrick will be assisted by former England number two Steve Holland, with Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion also part of his staff.

Former United midfielder Carrick, 44, had a three-game stint as United’s temporary boss after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal in 2021.

He will be back in the Old Trafford dugout for Saturday’s Premier League derby against Manchester City.

United sacked Ruben Amorim on 5 January after 14 months in charge, and Darren Fletcher took charge as caretaker boss for two matches.

“It’s an unbelieveble feeling to come back through the doors and be part of the club again,” Carrick told the in-house Inside Carrington podcast.

“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 talks with United officials last Thursday and is understood to have impressed chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox with his vision for the team.

He is set to play a 4-2-3-1 formation – a move away from the three-at-the-back set-up employed by Amorim.

Norwegian Solskjaer, who has played for and managed United, also held talks with the club about the vacancy.

But Carrick has been chosen as he is more of a hands-on coach than Solskjaer.

Fletcher, who took charge of the games against Burnley and Brighton immediately after Amorim’s exit, will return to the under-18s.

United view him as a key part of their coaching staff moving forward but it was mutually agreed a return to the under-18s is best to continue his development.

Who are Carrick’s staff?

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Steve Holland (right) worked under Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Rafael Benitez at Chelsea

Holland worked under Gareth Southgate when England finished fourth at the 2018 World Cup and were runners-up at Euro 2021 and 2024.

He spent several years with Chelsea, where he had major success under a number of managers.

The 55-year-old was sacked as manager of Japanese club Yokohama F Marinos in April after only four months in charge.

Woodgate worked under Carrick at Middlesbrough and was a team-mate of Wilcox at Leeds. He managed Boro between 2019 and 2020, and had a short spell as Bournemouth manager in 2021.

Former United defender Evans returns to Old Trafford, while Binnion was already part of the club’s coaching staff.

Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion will also be part of Carrick’s staff.

Former United and England midfielder Carrick agreed a deal on Monday night, with an announcement due on Tuesday once the necessary paperwork has been signed.

United sacked Ruben Amorim after 14 months on 5 January and Darren Fletcher took charge as caretaker boss for two matches.

Carrick will be in the dugout for Saturday’s Premier League derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford.

The 44-year-old had a three-game stint as United’s temporary boss after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal in 2021.

Holland worked under Gareth Southgate when England finished fourth at the 2018 World Cup and were runners-up at Euro 2021 and 2024.

He spent several years with Chelsea, where he had major success under a number of managers.

The 55-year-old was sacked as manager of Japanese club Yokohama F Marinos in April after only four months in charge.

Woodgate worked under Carrick at Middlesbrough and was a team-mate of United director of football Jason Wilcox at Leeds.

Woodgate managed Boro between 2019 and 2020 and had a short spell as Bournemouth manager in 2021.

Former United defender Evans will return to Old Trafford. Binnion is already part of the club’s coaching staff.

Carrick held face-to-face talks with United officials last Thursday and is understood to have impressed chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Wilcox with his vision for the team.

Carrick is set to play a 4-2-3-1 system, a move away from the three at the back set-up employed by Amorim.

Solskjaer, who has played and managed United, also held talks with the hierarchy over the vacancy.

But Carrick has been chosen given he is more of a hands-on coach than Solskjaer.

Fletcher, who took charge of the games against Burnley and Brighton immediately after Amorim’s exit, will return to the Under-18s.

United view him as a key part of their coaching staff moving forward but it was mutually agreed that a return to the Under-18s is best to continue his development.

Talks are at a very early, sounding out stage and while it is not yet known who the leading contender is to temporarily replace Ruben Amorim for the rest of the campaign, BBC Sport has been told Carrick is a serious candidate.

Amorim was sacked on Monday after a turbulent 14 months in charge, with former United midfielder Fletcher appointed interim manager.

The Scot will remain in place until a caretaker is appointed, with the club planning to name a permanent successor for Amorim in the summer.

Director of football Jason Wilcox has spoken to Fletcher and his former United team-mates Solskjaer and Carrick about taking the role, while another former United player Ruud van Nistelrooy is also believed to be a contender.

Van Nistelrooy managed three victories and a draw in his four games as caretaker boss in 2024.

Solskjaer initially took charge in a similar fashion when United sacked Jose Mourinho in 2018, and he subsequently became the full-time manager for three years before leaving in 2021.

Carrick has been out of work since departing Middlesbrough last June.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner and former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi – now at Marseille – are understood to be early contenders for the full-time job.

Glasner, who won the FA Cup with the Eagles last season, was asked about the link during his news conference on Tuesday.

He said: “I am Crystal Palace manager and it makes no sense for you to ask me any more questions about it.”

‘It’s an amazing honour’

Fletcher spoke to the media on Tuesday before Wednesday night’s game at Burnley and said he is concentrating purely on that match for now.

“It’s surreal, it’s an amazing honour to be able to lead a Manchester United team,” he said.

“I didn’t think in my wildest dreams that was something that could happen. It’s all happened so quickly, all my concentration and efforts are going on Burnley.

“Everyone expects Manchester United to be on top and winning – that’s what we have to achieve and I will do my best in whatever role to make that happen.”

The 41-year-old had been out of the game since leaving Old Trafford after a three-game stint as temporary boss after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal.

Boro had been without a permanent manager since Chris Wilder was sacked, with Leo Percovich in interim charge.

Carrick’s first game will be at Preston in the Championship on Saturday.

He had said it was not the right time for him to return to football but had a change of heart after a positive second round of talks.

It is also a return to the north-east of England for Carrick, having been born in Newcastle.

“Middlesbrough was the first professional club I played for as a nine-year-old boy, so it’s a very special feeling to be back here as a head coach,” he said.

“Growing up in the north-east myself I’m fully aware of what football means to people. It’s a real privilege for me to be in this position and to feel all the passion and enthusiasm you’ve got for the game and for Boro.”

He will be assisted by Jonathan Woodgate. The former Boro player returns to The Riverside having been the manager from June 2019 to June 2020.

The club has also confirmed that Percovich will now take up a role as the club’s head of player pathway and development.

Carrick, who also played for West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, made 463 appearances for United over a 12-year career, winning 17 trophies at Old Trafford before retiring in 2018.

He also won 34 England caps between 2001 and 2015, and was part of the squads at both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

After his retirement he became part of United’s coaching staff, initially under Jose Mourinho for a short period until the Portuguese was sacked and then – more prominently – under Solskjaer for the near-three years in which the Norwegian was in charge.

When Solskjaer left, Carrick led United to wins over Villarreal in the Champions League and Arsenal in the Premier League – with a draw at Chelsea sandwiched in between – before stepping down.

‘Michael is perfect fit’

Carrick arrives at Middlesbrough as their sixth permanent boss since the club was relegated from the Premier League in 2017 – a number which includes Woodgate.

He is the 13th appointment of Steve Gibson’s tenure as chairman, and the Boro owner is thrilled at the prospect of working with Carrick.

“We had identified a number of potentials for the vacancy who we spoke with, and were impressed by all, but Michael was the outstanding candidate,” Gibson told the club’s website.

“Michael has the same values as the club, and we are very much aligned in our ambitions.

“We see Michael as the perfect fit for us and he believes this is the right club at the right time.”

Boro finished seventh under Wilder last season, only missing out on a play-off spot on the final day, and expectations were of a promotion push this campaign.

That never materialised and the ex-Sheffield United boss was dismissed three weeks ago after just two wins from their first 11 games.

Percovich steadied the ship with seven points from five games but the club sit just one point and one place above the bottom three.

Now Carrick has five games before the break for the World Cup, starting at Deepdale on Saturday, to try to move Boro clear of the relegation zone.

Analysis – Woodgate return more surprising than Carrick appointment

BBC Radio Tees’ Mark Drury

Michael Carrick’s appointment today has not come as a huge surprise as his name had been heavily trailed last week.

Carrick arrives at Middlesbrough with the club just outside the Championship relegation zone during a season that has taken a rapid downward turn when so much was expected.

It is hoped his time on the Manchester United coaching staff under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have prepared him for life in the hot seat.

More of a surprise to Boro fans is the identity of his first team coach, former manager, Jonathan Woodgate.

Woodgate was Boro manager prior to Neil Warnock and Chris Wilder and has been a regular on the airwaves with BBC Radio 5 Live after a short spell at Bournemouth where he led the Cherries to the Championship play-off semi-final.

Boro say there will be a further addition to the coaching staff in due course with fans expecting a more seasoned head to provide the experience Carrick has yet to accrue.