Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have emerged as the leading candidates to take charge of Manchester United on a caretaker basis until the end of the season, following the club’s decision to sack Ruben Amorim after a turbulent 14 months in charge.
The two former United midfielders, both popular figures at Old Trafford, are expected to hold face-to-face talks with the club’s leadership as United weigh up their short-term options. It is even possible the pair could work together, given Carrick was a key member of Solskjaer’s coaching staff during the Norwegian’s previous spell as manager.
For now, Darren Fletcher remains in interim charge. The former United midfielder, now the club’s under-18s coach, will take charge of Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Burnley before the recruitment process resumes. Fletcher has also been spoken to about the caretaker role, and one player has suggested internally that strong results in the next two matches could even see him remain in charge until the end of the campaign.
United are not planning to rush into a permanent appointment. The club intend to name Amorim’s long-term successor in the summer, giving them time to assess candidates and stabilise performances on the pitch.
Solskjaer would be the more experienced choice. His managerial career spans more than 300 games, significantly more than Carrick’s, and includes a previous stint as United boss. After a successful start to coaching at Molde, where he won back-to-back Norwegian league titles, Solskjaer endured a difficult spell at Cardiff City before returning to Molde and then being appointed United caretaker in December 2018 following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.
That interim role became permanent, and Solskjaer went on to guide United to a second-place Premier League finish in 2020-21 and the Europa League final. Despite failing to win a trophy, his reign lasted almost three years, longer than those of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Mourinho. He was eventually sacked in November 2021 after a poor run of results.
More recently, Solskjaer returned to management with Turkish side Besiktas in January 2025, but his time there was short-lived. He was dismissed in August after just 29 games, following defeats in European qualification play-offs. Even so, his overall win ratio as a manager stands at a respectable 53.1%.
Carrick’s managerial CV is far shorter but not without promise. After retiring as a player, he joined Mourinho’s coaching staff at United and remained part of the setup throughout Solskjaer’s tenure. When Solskjaer was dismissed, Carrick took temporary charge for three matches, winning two and drawing one, before departing following Ralf Rangnick’s appointment.
His only permanent managerial role came at Middlesbrough, where he spent two and a half years in charge. Carrick led Boro to the Championship play-offs in 2022-23, losing narrowly to Coventry City in the semi-finals, but successive near-misses saw him sacked in June last year. His win rate of 46.8% reflects both the promise and inconsistency of his time on Teesside.
Other names are also in the frame. Former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is believed to be a contender, while Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner and ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi, now at Marseille, are early candidates for the permanent role. Glasner, however, played down the speculation, insisting he remains focused on his job at Palace.
As United search for stability, the caretaker decision will be crucial. Whether they turn to Solskjaer’s experience, Carrick’s calm authority, or a combination of both, the priority is clear: steady the club and buy time before a decisive summer rebuild.
