Manchester United are set to hold further talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick before deciding who will be their interim head coach, with Sky Sports News reporting that both could play a role in the new structure.
Director of football Jason Wilcox held the first informal conversations with the former players on Tuesday, and both are thought to be keen to re-involve themselves with the first team.
United have other candidates being considered for the role until the end of the season, including Ruud van Nistelrooy, who filled the gap between Erik ten Hag’s sacking in October 2024 and Ruben Amorim taking over the next month.
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Sky Sports’ David Reid considers who is the best fit for Manchester United.
United appear set to confirm short-term appointments until the end of the season to give them breathing space to focus on substantive appointments in the summer, when more elite coaches are likely to be more readily available.
Oliver Glasner, Marco Silva and Andoni Iraola are all due to have their current contracts expire at the end of this season, while Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann and Mauricio Pochettino could become available once their World Cup internationals are complete.
There are no talks scheduled between Carrick and Solskjaer on Wednesday, with the focus on Darren Fletcher’s first game as manager at Burnley. However, these discussions are expected to accelerate later in the week.
Solskjær favorite for interim option
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Sky Sports News senior correspondent Rob Dorsett provides the latest information on Manchester United’s search for an interim manager.
Sky Sports News football correspondent Rob Dorsett said:
“If Ole Gunnar Solskjær were to come back, it would be a big story. He was sacked by Manchester United in November 2021. He is incredibly popular among the Manchester United faithful.”
“He loved it so much that he had a very emotional farewell when he left. No bridges were burned. The impression I’m getting is that Solskjaer is the favorite to win.”
“Jason Wilcox, who is leading the search, has spoken to him. Solskjaer has made it clear he wants to return to Old Trafford.”
Glassner and Howe talk about United links
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Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner says the Austrian’s early favorites to replace Ruben Amorim at Manchester United will discuss his future at the club during breaks from upcoming matches.
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 about his position at a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s match between Palace and Aston Villa, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports.
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 the vacant Manchester United role.
Meanwhile, 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.”
Fletcher: “It’s an honor to lead Man United”
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The best of Manchester United’s new interim head coach Darren Fletcher’s first press conference.
Fletcher, who is currently interim manager, held his first press conference on Tuesday ahead of the midweek trip to Burnley.
After a busy 24 hours, Manchester United’s Under-18s manager said: “It was a surreal feeling. It’s a great honor to lead the Manchester United team. I never dreamed something like this could happen.”
“It’s a great honor and something to be proud of leading the team. It’s not easy for me because it wasn’t the situation I expected it to be.”
“I have the job of leading the team tomorrow, and I have great honor and pride in doing it.”
Asked if he had had any conversations with Wilcox or Omar Berrada, Fletcher said: “We have and the focus is on this game. Then we will talk (after the Burnley game).”
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Take a look at what happened when former players Ryan Giggs, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy became Manchester United’s interim head coach.
“Everything happened very quickly on Monday morning. There was preparation for the game and a very quick turnaround, organizing the training session, talking to the players and we were able to focus on the game against Burnley.”
“It’s important that we pay homage to the Burnley game and give the focus needed to prepare the team in such a short amount of time.”
Fletcher also has the odd situation of having two sons, Tyler and Jack, training with the first-team squad. Midfielder Jack has already made his first-team debut under coach Amorim.
When asked if he would be allowed to make his full debut, Fletcher began joking: “I won’t reveal team information before the game!”
He added: “They were in the training group on Monday, because that was already arranged before I arrived. They have recently joined the squad, but with a few players returning from injury, their return from the game is short, so we will assess that tomorrow.”
“They’re on the peripheral team, but I don’t know if they’ll be in the match-day squad.”
Manchester United’s next 5 games
Wednesday: Burnley (A) – Premier League, kick-off 8.15pm, live on Sky Sports Sunday: Brighton (H) – FA Cup third round, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports 17 January: Man City (H) – Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm, live on Sky Sports 25 January: Arsenal (A) – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports February 1: Fulham (H) – Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports
