Ole Gunnar Solskjær will have face-to-face talks with Manchester United on Saturday regarding becoming the interim manager until the end of the season.
The Norwegian is vying with Michael Carrick for the role and is expected to meet Omar Berrada, United’s chief executive, and Jason Wilcox, the director of football, at the club’s Carrington training base.
Carrick is thought to have been interviewed on Thursday by Berrada and Wilcox. While the former United midfielder and Solskjær are the favourites, the current caretaker manager, Darren Fletcher, cannot be completely ruled out. The Scot oversaw United’s 2-2 draw at Burnley on Wednesday and will again take charge of Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Brighton at Old Trafford.
Berrada and Wilcox were at Turf Moor and it is understood Fletcher impressed with the way he instructed the team at half-time when United were trailing 1-0. United subsequently went 2-1 ahead in the second period through two impressive Benjamin Sesko goals, before a late Jaidon Anthony equaliser.
Solskjær was previously United interim manager from December 2018 to March 2019, an impressive tenure earning him the job on a permanent basis. In his two full seasons Solskjær led United to third and second place and the 2021 Europa League final, which was lost to Villarreal on penalties.
Carrick was part of his coaching staff and led United in three games when Solskjær was sacked in late November 2021. He won two of those games and drew the other.
If Solskjær, who is considered the marginal favourite for the interim position, is appointed Carrick is open to working with him again, as his No 2. If Carrick is given the job whether he would offer Solskjær a role under him is unclear.
On Friday Fletcher, United’s under-18s coach, was asked about his long-term future at the club. “I speak to Omar and Jason, that’s how the processes work,” he said. “For me, I’ve been focusing on the job at hand, preparing the team for these two games. There’s been no thoughts or conversations about my future.
“Honestly, the people in charge, Jason and Omar, have given me full responsibility to take control of these two games, make my own decisions, lead the team, guide the team, prepare the team, and that’s what I’ve been doing.
“There’s been no conversations with anybody outside of those two people in higher-up positions in the club.”
