Middlesbrough have appointed former Manchester United and England midfielder Michael Carrick as their new manager.

The 41-year-old replaces Chris Wilder at the Riverside Stadium helm, and will be joined by former Boro boss Jonathan Woodgate, who will take on the role of first-team coach.

He arrives at the club with Boro, who many fancied to be challenging for promotion this season, fourth bottom of the Championship.

They have been without a manager since the sacking of Chris Wilder earlier this month, with Leo Percovich’s five matches in temporary charge including the 2-1 defeat to Rovers.

Carrick, who was linked with the managerial vacancy at Rovers in the summer, spent 12 years as a player at Manchester United before coaching and caretaker managing the Old Trafford club.

He worked with Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before being asked to take on the number one job on a caretaker basis. His three games at the helm produced wins against Villareal and Arsenal, and a draw at Chelsea.

“We’re delighted to welcome Michael to the club,” said Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson.

“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.

“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.”

Carrick’s first game in charge will come at Preston North End this weekend.

He said: “I’m really excited to be here and to be part of a club with such a deep history and tradition.

"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.

"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.

"I’ll give everything to help develop the team and keep moving the club forward and make you the supporters proud.

"I can’t wait to get started.”

Meanwhile, former interim manager Leo Percovich has been named Head of Player Pathway and Development.