Michael Carrick oversaw two wins and a draw in his three games as caretaker following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking
Michael Carrick says he is leaving Manchester United after the end of his spell as caretaker manager.
Carrick, in charge for three matches, announced his decision after United’s 3-2 win over Arsenal on Thursday.
“After a lot of thought and deliberation, I have decided that now is the right time for me to leave,” said Carrick.
Ralf Rangnick has been appointed interim manager until the end of the season.
Carrick, a five-time Premier League winner during 12 years as a player at United, took over as caretaker boss after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked on 21 November.
He took charge of the 2-0 Champions League away win to Villarreal on 23 November before dropping Cristiano Ronaldo to the substitutes bench for the 1-1 draw at Chelsea last Sunday.
Carrick announced his decision to leave minutes after the Arsenal victory which lifted United into seventh spot in the table.
“I’ve just told them [the players] and they were a bit shocked and surprised, a bit emotional in the changing room,” Carrick, speaking to Amazon Prime, said.
‘Loyalty to Solskjaer was a bit of a factor’
Carrick, who also helped United win the Champions League in 2008, was first-team coach under Solskjaer.
The 40-year-old said that loyalty to his former Red Devils team-mate was a “little bit of a factor” behind his decision to leave.
“It’s not been an easy decision to make but I feel it’s the right one,” Carrick added.
“It’s 100% my decision. Over the last week I was conscious I respected the club and the manager coming in. I thought it was the right thing to do for the club and for Ralf. I’m quite happy with that.
“The loyalty to Ole is a little bit of a factor but there were a lot of things that came into my decision.
“I’ve had great times, great memories and I’m proud of the players over the past three games.”
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