United plan permanent manager appointment as Glazer insists trophies not vital to club's brand

Manchester United’s hierarchy has agreed to pursue a permanent managerial appointment rather than another interim solution if Michael Carrick is relieved of his duties, while co-chairman Avram Glazer has drawn fresh fan anger by arguing the club’s commercial appeal is not tied to winning trophies.

According to reports, Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada, who oversee United’s football operations, are aligned on the need for a long-term appointment should the club move on from Carrick. The stance marks a deliberate shift from recent practice: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer served as interim before being handed the job permanently, Ralf Rangnick stepped in for the remainder of the 2021-22 season after Solskjaer’s sacking, and Carrick himself held the role on a temporary basis in the second half of last season. The United hierarchy is said to regard the next appointment as critical and intends to take a considered approach.

Carrick’s position has been given a degree of breathing room after United came from 2-0 down to beat Roma in the Champions League, with Matheus Cunha scoring twice late on before being sent off for two bookings — one for his celebration, one for a foul in added time. The Brazilian will serve a standard one-match ban but escaped further punishment for not going directly to the dressing room after his red card.

United now face Aston Villa at Old Trafford, with a strong result likely to further consolidate Carrick’s standing going into the international break. Unai Emery, previously linked with the Old Trafford role, appears set to sign a new contract at Villa Park, effectively removing him from the picture.

Off the pitch, Avram Glazer addressed financiers at Deutsche Bank’s Sports Investment Conference in London, comparing United to the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys — franchises he argued can sustain global commercial relevance without consistent on-field success. The comments are unlikely to ease tensions with supporters, who staged fresh protests during the Roma victory. Around 3,000 green and gold balloons were released before kick-off and tennis balls were thrown onto the pitch, continuing a pattern of demonstrations against the Glazers, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and club executives.