Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have both been linked with the Manchester United dugout, barely a week after Ruben Amorim's sacking
Manchester United's English first-team coach Michael Carrick (L) and Manchester United's Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (R) look on during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Manchester United at The London Stadium, in east London on September 19, 2021.
Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have both managed Manchester United in some capacity(Image: IAN KINGTON, AFP via Getty Images)
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Manchester United opted for Michael Carrick as interim manager after some players rejected the idea of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returning to the club, according to reports.
Carrick will assume control until the season's end, marking his second interim tenure in charge. He oversaw the club for three matches in the 2021-22 campaign, winning two games and drawing one.
Solskjaer had been the frontrunner to replace the recently dismissed Ruben Amorim - who was relieved off his duties 24 hours after his explosive press conference which proceeded the 1-1 away draw with Leeds United - and was interviewed twice for the position.
However, it's been claimed many of the current crop of players were not enamoured by the idea of the Norwegian taking over again. According to the Mirror, the former United striker was ruled out when certain stars expressed their lack of confidence in him to club officials, stating they did not want Solskjaer back.
Reports understand the players made it clear they preferred Carrick to guide them for the rest of the season. Solskjaer, a United legend, managed the club from 2018 to 2021, before being sacked after winning 54 per cent of his 168 matches in charge.
Carrick's appointment is expected to be confirmed within the next 24 hours, following a process led by chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.
The 44-year-old is anticipated to conduct his first training session on Wednesday, ahead of his inaugural match this weekend when United face local rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford in a crucial encounter. This will be a challenging initiation for Carrick, with United having secured just one victory in their last seven matches across all competitions.
Manchester United's Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on November 6, 2021. - 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 Oli SCARFF / 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. / 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 OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Many United players expressed their doubts about Solskjaer returning, according to reports(Image: OLI SCARFF, AFP via Getty Images)
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The ex-midfielder was put in charge as interim manager shortly after Solskjaer's dismissal. He secured two victories and one draw in those matches, before departing following the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager.
He has been without a job since being dismissed by Championship side Middlesbrough in June. Carrick guided Boro to the Championship play-offs in the 2022-23 season, only for them to be defeated by Coventry in the semi-finals.
His team then narrowly missed out on the top six in consecutive seasons, leading to Carrick's dismissal. The former England midfielder made 464 appearances for United and clinched 18 major trophies, including the Champions League title in 2008.
COVENTRY, ENGLAND - MAY 3: Michael Carrick, Manager of Middlesbrough on the side line during the Sky Bet Championship match between Coventry City FC and Middlesbrough FC at The Coventry Building Society Arena on May 3, 2025 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Carrick was sacked by Middlesbrough in June(Image: Neal Simpson/Allstar, Getty Images)
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He joined Jose Mourinho's coaching team at United after retiring at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season. When Mourinho was sacked, Carrick remained as a first-team coach throughout Solskjaer's 168-game tenure.
Darren Fletcher has managed United in their last two matches following the dismissal of Amorim. The under-18s coach presided over a 2-2 draw with Burnley in the Premier League before Sunday's 2-1 loss to Brighton in the FA Cup third round.