The sacking of Ruben Amorim at Manchester United last week has left INEOS with the task of identifying a replacement to take the reins until the end of the season or beyond.
Darren Fletcher has led the side in each of the last two matches, but it appears as though the hierarchy are targeting an option to replace the Scotsman until the end of 2025/26.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær appeared the favourite at one stage, after the Norwegian made his desire clear to return to Old Trafford, following his three-year stint between 2018 and 2021.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
However, after recent interviews, it looks as though fellow former player Michael Carrick could be set to lead the side until the summer, when a full pursuit for a permanent boss can be conducted.
Should the 44-year-old be the man chosen to lead the Red Devils for the next few months, he may have the chance to unleash one star who’s made a breakthrough in the senior ranks in recent weeks.
Michael Carrick Man United stats (timeless)
The stats behind Shea Lacey’s Man Utd first-team breakthrough
The United academy has been responsible for developing numerous elite-level talents over the last few years, with attacker Shea Lacey arguably the next on the conveyor belt.
At just 18, he was handed his first senior appearance in the defeat against Aston Villa, with Fletcher utilising him in each of his two temporary games at the helm.
Lacey
He’s featured for a total of 33 minutes in each of the two outings, with just seven of those minutes coming in the 2-2 draw against Burnley at Turf Moor last week.
The teenager can perilously close to netting his first senior goal during the contest, after cutting inside onto his favoured left foot, but he was narrowly denied by the crossbar.
As a result, Lacey was rewarded with a 27-minute cameo off the bench against Brighton yesterday, with the teenager enduring a topsy-turvy performance at Old Trafford.
He managed to complete 100% of the passes he attempted, whilst attempting two dribbles and finding a teammate with one of the crosses he put into the 18-yard box.
Shea Lacey
However, it would quickly turn sour for the teenager, as he picked up two yellow cards in the space of a few minutes - with his second being for throwing the ball after a decision went against him.
As a result, he was handed his marching orders and sent off with just minutes to go, with his desire to succeed for the club evidently getting the better of him on this occasion.
The United star who’s a bigger talent than Lacey
Despite his first senior sending off this weekend, the future certainly remains bright for Lacey at United, with the teenager having the chance to nail down a starting role in the years ahead.
Fletcher’s temporary appointment may not have yielded the results the fanbase have craved, but it’s certainly handed the youngsters the chance to showcase their talents.
darren-fletcher-man-utd
His seven-minute cameo was evidence of the threat he poses within the final third, something which will only develop further when he adapts himself to the demands of the Premier League.
Lacey already has creativity and pace in abundance, which is something that the Red Devils senior ranks have lacked for many months under Amorim.
However, he’s just one of a number of starts currently on the books at Old Trafford, with players like Kobbie Mainoo having the chance to take their career to the next level upon Carrick’s arrival.
The 20-year-old has already been an influential first-team member for nearly three seasons, after he made his breakthrough back in the latter stages of the 2023/24 campaign.
Man United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo
Such a return at Old Trafford saw him be included in the England squad for Euro 2024, subsequently showcasing the top-level talent the Red Devils had on their hands.
However, Amorim’s arrival massively stagnated his progress with his boyhood club, with the 40-year-old often leaving the youngster on the bench behind the likes of Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro.
Upon the manager’s sacking, the midfielder had failed to start a single Premier League game this campaign, subsequently making just 228 minutes worth of appearances in the Premier League.
Such a decision baffled many, even leading to his brother wearing a ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo’ t-shirt to one of Amorim’s final games in charge at Old Trafford.
kobbie-mainoo-united
However, the potential arrival of Carrick could kickstart his career in Manchester, with the 44-year-old’s experience as a midfielder at the Theatre of Dreams helping him to aid his progression.
The former player turned manager managed to win five Premier League titles in Manchester, which could help Mainoo replicate his success in the first-team squad.
Kobbie Mainoo - PL stats (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Minutes played
Pass accuracy
Chances created
Successful dribbles
Tackles won
Duels won
Interceptions made
Recoveries made
Stats via FotMob
The academy graduate, who’s been dubbed a future “£100m footballer” by United writer and journalist Alex Turk, still has bags of time to reach the next level in his career and fulfil his potential.
His stats from previous seasons showcase the talent he possesses, something which Amorim was often neglectful to during his time in charge of the Red Devils.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim and Kobbie Mainoo look dejected after the match
However, Carrick could certainly get the player back to those levels if he takes the reins, with the temporary boss needing to put faith into the youngster to succeed.
The midfield is certainly lacking the quality of Mainoo at present, with the youngster certainly having the opportunity to develop into a world-class star in the years ahead, given his previous spell in the first-team.
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