Manchester United are in the midst of a process to appoint a caretaker manager who will lead the club until the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
It will have been a very busy week inside Carrington, with Manchester United’s sacking of Ruben Amorim prompting an unexpected recruitment process.
Darren Fletcher was named interim against Burnley and now also to take on Brighton, as talks continue with the candidates to replace the Scotsman to complete this season.
With Ruben Amorim SACKED, where will Manchester United finish in 2025/26?
Let's see your predictions!
With a permanent appointment being saved until the end of the campaign, learning from the error of appointing Amorim mid-season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks the favourite to take charge.
Michael Carrick is another contender, but now David Ornstein has shared that a third name cannot be discounted.
David Ornstein says Manchester United have a third contender to become caretaker manager
Next summer’s permanent appointment is one United will hope is finally the man who will get the club back on top, and Ineos has five months to make the call.
But in terms of a caretaker, it looks likely to be a former player.
Now, David Ornstein has claimed on NBC Sports that Ruud van Nistelrooy can be added to the list of options alongside Carrick and Solskjaer.
“Everybody was saying it’s [Manchester United Caretaker role] going to go to Solskjaer. It may he’s a strong contender, but so is Michael Carrick. We must not write him off in this situation.
“There is a third name in the frame”, Ornstein admitted.
“And that’s Ruud van Nistelrooy. He’s been spoken to. But whereas Jason Wilcox will be meeting with both Solskjaer and Carrick because he doesn’t know them from previously, he won’t be meeting with Ruud because he already knows him. He was interim manager not so long ago.
“For whatever reason, Manchester United feel that Solskjaer and Carrick are the two most likely. But what they did want was somebody, whoever it will be, who’s got Manchester United connections.
WHO is your pick from Carrick, Solskjaer or Van Nistelrooy?🤔
All three have impressed as players and coaches at Old Trafford, which do you want as caretaker?
“They felt that was crucial in this moment of, you could say, trauma following the departure of Ruben Amarim. Whoever they decide to go for, and I expect news from the club next week.”
Comparing Carrick, Ole and Ruud as Manchester United caretaker managers
All three of the possible caretaker options for United are club legends, but have also previously taken charge of the club on a temporary basis. Of course, Solskjaer earned the position permanently.
But how do they compare just based on games as a caretaker or interim?
| Manager | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals | Win rate |
| Ole | 19 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 40 | 74% |
| Ruud | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 75% |
| Carrick | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 66% |
Based on this, Van Nistelrooy would actually be the best option for United, and with the Dutchman also knowing the current crop of players, we wouldn’t be opposed to this.
Fletcher is probably also in the running, but giving it to the Scotsman based on a game or two in professional management could be a mistake with so much left to play for.
Whoever is picked will have full support.
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