The search for a new interim head coach has begun at Manchester United, with talks taking place with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer about a potential return to Old Trafford.
When Manchester United sacked Ruben Amorim on Monday, it was decided that an interim head coach would be put in charge for the remainder of the season to allow the board to identify the best candidate to take the team forward.
Darren Fletcher has stood in temporarily, breaking from his role as U18s manager. The Scot’s first game in charge saw United draw 2-2 with Burnley and slip to seventh in the Premier League.
The former United midfielder will remain in the dugout, albeit for the first time at Old Trafford, when the Red Devils host Brighton in the FA Cup third round.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen on returning to United for at least six months, but he faces competition to become interim head coach from fellow former players Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The race is on. It means there’s a high chance United will have a new coach in the hot seat for the eagerly anticipated Manchester derby next week.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer didn’t offer himself to Man Utd
United sacked Solskjaer in 2021 but issued an invite to the Norwegian, making him the only manager of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era to be welcomed back to Old Trafford.
Of course, it was the Glazers who sacked Solskjaer then, rather than Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who didn’t become United co-owner until the beginning of 2024.
Respected journalist Andy Mitten has now revealed that Solskjaer did not offer himself to United as the board got in touch with him.
Solskjaer also ‘spoke well’ of the other candidates in contention for the role, including Carrick and Van Nistelrooy.
“I’m seeing a lot of inaccurate reports, people writing stuff on the balance of probability, not knowing what the facts are,” Mitten said on the United We Stand YouTube channel.
“The facts are United have spoken to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick, Ruud van Nistelrooy, no decision has been made yet.
“I’m seeing stuff like ‘Ole offered himself.’ No he didn’t. Manchester United got in touch with him. I know exactly when it happened and Ole also spoke well of the other candidates.”
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Mitten also stressed that he would like to see a combination of Solskjaer, Carrick and Van Nistelrooy in charge of the team.
“So I’d like to see some sort of combination of them together, Ole, Michael and Ruud are all good mates,” he concluded.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy compared
All three contenders for the interim role previously managed United temporarily, although Solskjaer is the only one to have the job permanently.
Solskjaer took charge of 19 games as interim, winning 14, drawing twice, and losing three times.
That gave the Norwegian an impressive 47% win rate.
Solskjaer’s sacking led to Carrick getting the job as caretaker manager for three matches. He won two and drew against Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Van Nistelrooy took charge after Erik ten Hag’s dismissal and recorded three wins and one draw in four matches.
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