Who will be Manchester United’s next manager? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher – who is replacing Ruben Amorim?
Negotiations were being held with former players Solskjaer and Carrick. United youth coach Darren Fletcher has been appointed on an interim basis for Wednesday’s game against Burnley and could put himself in contention if he impresses.
However, Solskjaer, who coached United between 2018 and 2021 and became a club icon with the winning goal he scored in the 1999 Champions League final, has the strongest managerial history of this trio. He led United to second place in the league in 2021 and was also a beaten finalist in the Europa League that season.
Carrick was on United’s coaching staff after retiring as a player and briefly served as caretaker when Solskjaer was sacked. He was in charge of second-tier Middlesbrough from 2022-25, gaining a reputation as a promising manager.
It is not known whether other names are being seriously considered, but former striker and coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is acting on a temporary basis before Amorim takes over in 2024, is reportedly another option.
Solskjaer is thought to be a surprising appointment, albeit on an interim basis, following his departure from the club more than four years ago.
The Norwegian took over temporarily after the sacking of Jose Mourinho, but he created such a revival in the atmosphere that he was given the job full-time. Five years ago, when the team finished second, 12 points behind Manchester City, the big club came closer than anyone to a first Premier League title since Alex Ferguson’s retirement. Mourinho also guided United to second place, but they were 19 points behind champions City in 2018.
Under Ferguson, United have dominated the Premier League since its inception in 1992 – winning 13 titles – but have not been crowned champions since their final season in 2013.
Amorim was sacked on Monday after just 14 months in the job and a string of unwanted records, including United’s worst season in the Premier League last term.
But he left with United still in a strong position to secure qualification for next season’s Champions League, and the club believed the change would improve their chances of promotion up the standings.
By waiting until the end of the season to make a long-term appointment, United will likely have more options when potential candidates’ contracts expire or rival clubs are more open to releasing coaches.
Names predicted so far include Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, Fulham’s Marco Silva and Marseille’s Roberto De Zerbi.
