It is becoming increasingly unlikely that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick will be asked to work together in an interim role at Manchester United for the remainder of the season, Sky Sports News has reported.
Both former players will remain at the forefront of United’s plans, but with one of them in charge of the first team for the final 17 Premier League games of the season and the FA Cup games beyond that, it could be a straight choice between the two.
In terms of evaluation, United’s leaders seem to consider both Solskjær and Carrick to be natural No. 1s.
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Sky Sports’ David Reid looks at which players are best suited for Manchester United
The club are working patiently with this process and it is currently unlikely that an appointment will be made before Sunday’s FA Cup match against Brighton.
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Watch for free: Premier League highlights of Burnley vs. Manchester United
Both Carrick and Solskjær have had personal commitments this week, which has slowed progress, but United’s leaders are understood to be in no rush to make a final decision and are hoping to hold further talks in the coming days.
They have been impressed with current interim player Darren Fletcher, both in terms of the way he conducts himself in the media and around the Carrington training ground, and the rapport he has quickly built with the team, many of whom are already well known to him.
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Jamie Redknapp claims he ‘doesn’t understand’ why Manchester United are interested in bringing former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back to the club on an interim basis
Fletcher confirmed after the 2-2 draw with Burnley that he would stay on to cover the game against Brighton, allowing director of football Jason Wilcox time to interview other candidates.
Ruud van Nistelrooy remains an option for the interim role, but in contrast to Solskjær and Carrick, he is well known to the current Old Trafford set-up and therefore does not require the same level of interview scrutiny.
Neville: Solskjaer’s return will be like Groundhog Day
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Gary Neville shares his thoughts on who will take up the role of interim head coach at Manchester United until the end of the season
Sky Sports’ Gary Neville spoke about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s potential return:
“They got Ryan (Giggs) in charge 10 years ago, then Ole took over, they went back to the old players and then they went back to the new players, getting more experience.
“It’s almost like a cycle, movies we’ve all seen before and things like Groundhog Day.
“I think Ole is a guy who really loves the club, knows the job well and has been involved in the job.
“Other names that have been mentioned, Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy, are really great people.
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As Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s return to Manchester United is rumored, take a look at some of the team’s best goals during his first spell in charge at the club
“I’ve been training with them for years. They really love the club, they got the club, but if the results still don’t go the way they want, they’ll be under a lot of pressure for the next four or five months and we’ll have to prepare for that.”
“It’s unclear which of the three names mentioned will get it, but I wish them the best of luck as it’s a difficult role.”
Glassner and Howe talk about United links
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Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said the Austrian, who was an early favorite to replace Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim, will discuss his future at the club during the break between games.
Negotiations for an interim manager continue, but Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Newcastle’s Eddie Howe are among those linked for a permanent role.
Glasner has six months left on his contract at Selhurst Park but shut down any talk of his position at a press conference earlier this week.
He said: “I’m the manager of Crystal Palace. Asking any more questions would be a waste of time. I don’t talk about clubs other than Crystal Palace.”
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Eddie Howe has reaffirmed his commitment to Newcastle United after being linked with vacant Manchester United role
Meanwhile, manager Howe also reiterated his commitment to Newcastle.
“I’m here at 100 percent, keeping my head down and giving it my all. Good or bad, it doesn’t matter, so I ignore everything you guys write,” he said.
“That will never change from my point of view, my commitment to my job and my job, because that is the job today and it is to try to get the team as ready as possible for the game against Leeds (Wednesday).”
“As long as I am happy and can express myself in the best way possible to help the team, nothing will change.”
Asked if there was anything that would pull him away from St James’ Park, Howe said: “No, not at the moment.
“The most important thing for me is happiness in the role, happiness in the job and relationships with the people around me. Now, it’s not always always good and things can change at any football club.”
“But I’m very happy at the moment.”
Manchester United’s next 5 games
Sunday: Brighton (H) – FA Cup third round, 4.30pm kick-off January 17: Man City (H) – Premier League, 12.30pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports January 25: Arsenal (A) – Premier League, 4.30pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports February 1: Fulham (H) – Premier League, 2pm Kick-off, live on Sky Sports February 7: Tottenham (H) – Premier League, 12:30pm kick-off
