Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to hold his first face-to-face meeting with Manchester United bosses regarding the interim head coaching position on Saturday.
Sky Sports News understands that another candidate, Michael Carrick, has already met club leaders this week to discuss the role.
United made the decision on Monday to end Ruben Amorim’s dominant 14-month reign, hoping to secure his tenure for the remainder of the season.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
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
Ruud van Nistelrooy and current interim head coach Darren Fletcher are being considered for the post, but Solskjær and Carrick remain at the forefront of United’s plans.
However, the club are being patient with this process and it is currently unlikely that an appointment will be made before Sunday’s FA Cup match against Brighton.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett gives an update on whether Michael Carrick or Ole Gunnar Solskjær will be appointed interim manager of Manchester United
Manchester United interim manager Fletcher focuses on the present, not the future
Fletcher said on Friday there had been no new talk about his future at Man United as the former midfielder prepares for his second game as caretaker manager against Brighton.
United put in a spirited performance in Fletcher’s first game, but ultimately faltered in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with struggling Burnley, with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox watching from the stands.
The pair have been the 41-year-old’s only contact within the club’s leadership since he took over on a temporary basis as they deemed him the best person to take the team forward.
Asked if he had received any updates on his future and whether he had spoken to ambitious United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Fletcher said: “I haven’t, no.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Manchester United caretaker manager Darren Fletcher has said he has not had any further conversations with club executives about his future at the club and is solely focused on the games he has been appointed to manage on an interim basis.
“The process here is working with me talking to Omar and Jason. For me, I’ve been focused on the job at hand and preparing the team for these two games. I haven’t been thinking or talking about my future.”
“Honestly, Jason and Omar’s people gave me full responsibility to control these two games, make my own decisions, lead the team, coach the team, prepare the team, and that’s what I’ve done.
“I haven’t had any conversations with anyone other than two people in the upper echelons of the club.”
Neville: Solskjaer’s return will be like Groundhog Day
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
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.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
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
“Other names that have been mentioned, Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy, are really great people.
“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.”
Keane calls in Manchester United manager Howe, Neville wants to ‘remove risk’
Meanwhile, Roy Keane has called for Eddie Howe to replace Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, while Neville has told leaders to “remove risks”, citing Thomas Tuchel as the best choice.
Keane told Sky Sports: “I’d choose Eddie Howe. I like him. I like what he’s done. He’s coached a lot of games. When his team gets going, they’ll play good football. He’s got his detractors, but I like what he’s done at Newcastle.”
“He’s managed seven or eight hundred games. He’s still a young player. I love his composure. Maybe Man United need a bit of that.”
“As we saw with the last[commitment]we like people with emotion and he has that calmness. Looking at the job he’s done with Newcastle, the Champions League and winning the cup, I’m happy to see him go there.”
Neville echoed Keane’s call for experience in charge, saying the club needed to “de-risk” their next head coach by appointing someone who knows the Premier League well, thrives under pressure and has a proven track record of success.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said: “They should remove the risk. It’s likely to be postponed for another four or five months, but I don’t agree with that because if you can get Carlo Ancelotti or Thomas Tuchel, a manager like that at the end of the season, you’ll wait for them.”
“For a long period of time, over 12 years, the football has been really bad. If you look at the appointments made during that time, Jose Mourinho is the only one who meets the club’s standards.”
“Know the league and remove the risk. Have they ever managed in the league and know the game here? Have they ever managed in Europe and done well in the Champions League?”
“Did they succeed and win the title? Can they withstand a lot of pressure, a lot of atmosphere? They have to meet that standard.
“You’re looking at (Carlo) Ancelotti and (Thomas) Tuchel.
“They’ve been in England, won the league, won the Champions League and managed some big players. They won’t be scared in the slightest by anything the pundits say.”
“What I’m saying is, if you think about that criteria, it’s only referring to two or three people.”
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
