Manchester United have been seeking an interim manager after Ruben Amorim's departure, with favourite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being overtaken by Michael Carrick in the running for the role
Manchester United's Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (R) talks with Manchester United's English first-team coach Michael Carrick during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sheffield United at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on June 24, 2020. (Photo by Martin Rickett / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MARTIN RICKETT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United's Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (R) talks with Manchester United's English first-team coach Michael Carrick during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sheffield United at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on June 24, 2020. (Photo by Martin Rickett / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MARTIN RICKETT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick has emerged as the favourite to be appointed as interim manager at Manchester United - but some fans in the Manchester United comments section aren't holding out much hope of a "new manager bounce" that would help them secure a strong finishing position in the Premier League this season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had been the frontrunner for the position, following talks with club chiefs, which would see him return to the club four years after being sacked. Caretaker and U-18s manager Darren Fletcher was unable to overcome Brighton in the FA Cup on Sunday, leaving the club with no chance at silverware this season.
Carrick's most recent job was with Middlesbrough in the Championship, sacked in 2025 after a tenth placed finish. His high points during his time with Middlesbrough were a play-off semi-final against Coventry during his first season, and making it to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup the following year.
Carrick has managed United in a caretaker capacity twice before, having been a first-team coach at the club back under Jose Mourinho. His stints bookended Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's time in charge, who has fallen behind in the race for the appointment.
It's not an easy job at the best of times, but after Sunday's performance in the FA Cup, few are expecting a sudden upturn in fortunes this season. Reader Jcfc1 says: "Fletcher has failed his audition in my opnion, although we have looked better than we have in recent weeks. Ole and/or Carrick til the end of the season will do neither good or harm.
"We just need to get things right from top to bottom. There is no quick fix, we need to learn how to defend, keep clean sheets and be difficult to beat.
"I'm not sure who the next permanent manager will be, but he needs time, patience, to know his role and know that the board will be difficult to work with."
Commenter Mancs R Us is even more pessimistic: "We would ruin the best manager in the world... The club's rotten from the top table to the pitch, shambles."
Gazsco says: "Whichever United legend is appointed as caretaker manager, we have to accept our season is over and any chance of Champions League football next season vanished when Wilcox threw his toys out of the pram and sacked Amorim.
"I suppose there's always next season, although I remember saying that every year these days."
Some would still prefer Ole at the wheel, like Athyf: "Ole as the interim manager and Carrick and Nistelrooy as coaching staff would do just fine. They know the club better. Then another league manager can be appointed." Man666 agrees: "Ole is my choice."
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick looks set to be named boss over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer(Image: Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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ManUtdObsession says: "Personally I'd go get Xavi and skip the interim manager. He's available, knows how to play a team game and he's won with Barcelona.
"If we are going to go the interim route, I'd pick Carrick. I think people who've played as a midfielder have a better idea of how to play and how to setup a team."
Using the comments section below, tell us who you would prefer as interim manager of Manchester United, and why.