Ole Gunnar Solskjær could make a shock return to Manchester United as interim manager, with Jason Wilcox, the director of football, considering him a prime candidate for the role.
Solskjær is intent on taking up the position at a club where he remains a huge fan favourite as a legendary player. Negotiations between his camp and the club are believed to be under way. Senior players, led by Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire, would welcome his temporary appointment.
Should Solskjær be given the role, it is understood he would hope to make the position permanent if he proves a successful interim appointment. While it is not definite that he will be appointed, if he is and subsequently proves himself, it would be a repeat of history. In December 2018 Solskjær replaced José Mourinho in a caretaker capacity, and oversaw an upturn that led to him being given the permanent role the following March.
As the executive are working primarily on a temporary appointment there seems little chance that Solskjær will be recruited as the new permanent No 1 now.
His strong pedigree makes him a serious option for Wilcox and Omar Berrada, the chief executive, who view him as being able to affect results positively and restore a feelgood factor. Solskjær and Michael Carrick, the former United midfielder who had a spell in caretaker charge in 2021, are believed to have been contacted on Tuesday. No prospective candidate has been met in person yet, but they will be before an appointment is made.
Solskjær led United to two top‑three finishes, in 2020 and 2021, and the 2021 Europa League final, which was lost on penalties against Villarreal. A dire run of form the following season led to his sacking in late November with the side seventh. Solskjær is out of work after being sacked by Besiktas in August. That was his first job since leaving United.
Carrick was caretaker for three games from late November to early December 2021, winning two and drawing the other. He is also thought to be open to the position.
The stand-in head coach for at least tonight’s game against Burnley, Darren Fletcher, is another candidate for the job until the end of the season. The Scot said he had sought his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s approval before accepting the emergency role.
“I don’t like to make any major decisions without speaking to Sir Alex – something I’ve done since I’ve been at the club [from 1995-2015 as a player] and when I left the club,” Fletcher said. “Ultimately this was to get his blessing. He deserves that respect. I wanted to run it by him and he was supportive.”
Fletcher, who would not be drawn on whether he will change from Amorim’s favoured back three to a four, was asked about scrutiny of the club, including from his former United teammates Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Rio Ferdinand.
“I came into the team in a season where we finished second and it was the end of the world,” he said. “Manchester United is the biggest club in the world so scrutiny is standard. You have to deal with it. Embrace the challenge of being at Manchester United. You can’t ask them [former players] to go easier, because they’re passionate guys. I had years of listening to them in the dressing room, taking it all in. People want to be entertained, a standard of what Manchester United is.”
Fletcher was asked on Tuesday how many matches he will take charge of. He said: “The focus was on this game and then we’ll speak after. It all happened very quickly on Monday morning. I had a game to prepare and a quick turnaround, training session to organise, speak to the players. It’s important that we give the Burnley match the respect and focus it needs.”
Questioned about whether he wanted the job permanently, he said: “Honestly, it’s not something I’ve thought about. I’m focusing on Burnley. That discussion is for after the game.”
His first two days in charge have been memorable. “Surreal and an amazing honour to be able to lead a Manchester United team,” the 41‑year‑old said.
“I don’t even think in my wildest dreams this was something that could potentially happen. I’m really proud to do it, not in the circumstances [Amorim’s sacking] I expected it to happen. So that doesn’t sit quite easy with me, but I’ve got a job to do.”
Fletcher will be boosted by the return of the captain, Fernandes, and Mason Mount from injury. “They have trained and will be back in the squad on managed minutes,” he said. “That is good news.” Kobbie Mainoo could also return after a calf problem.
Time constrictions mean Fletcher has spoken individually only to Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, though he plans to talk with more players. “I had a conversation with Bruno because he’s the captain and focused on a couple of players who I don’t know so well – Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko,” he said.
Oliver Glasner refused to be drawn on suggestions he could take over at United in the summer. “I’m not allowed to bet,” the Crystal Palace manager said when informed he is the bookmakers’ favourite.
“My contract is one paragraph. I tell you I’m not allowed to bet, and I don’t look at it. I’m Crystal Palace manager, and I think it just makes no sense, and it’s wasting time for you to ask me any more questions, so I don’t talk about any other club than Crystal Palace.”
