Manchester United are looking for a caretaker manager to take charge until the end of the season and have begun talks with external candidates, with three former Old Trafford favorites on the shortlist to potentially return following Ruben Amorim’s departure.
Sky Sports News reports that both Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjær have spoken privately with current caretaker manager Darren Fletcher about the possibility of him staying in charge until the end of the season. Other candidates are expected to be called before a decision is made.
The current focus is on finding an interim manager, but the club has not ruled out the possibility of a permanent manager if it is determined that the right manager is available. To that end, United are looking at an even wider pool.
Director of football Jason Wilcox is leading United’s process and, after initial informal conversations with candidates, is expected to conduct more formal interviews before making recommendations in the coming days. The final decision will be approved by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
No timetable has been set, but club leaders are thought to be hoping to have someone in place before the Manchester derby on January 17th. Fletcher is expected to take charge for the next two games, against Burnley in the Premier League on Wednesday and against Brighton in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Fletcher himself is a candidate for an interim role, but given his lack of first-team coaching experience at the moment, United’s top brass see Fletcher as a viable option for the future. Despite this, Fletcher has always been close with United’s players, and we hear that the team have been impressed with the early work he has done with them so far, and that morale across the camp is quite high.
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Watch an excerpt of Gary Neville’s reaction to the news of Ruben Amorim being sacked by Manchester United.
Wilcox has already been in talks with Old Trafford favorites Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjær for the interim head coaching position, and both are thought to have a good chance of joining a club they know well. Both are currently unemployed and able to work without having to pay compensation.
Solskjær favorite for interim option
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Sky Sports News senior correspondent Rob Dorsett provides the latest on Manchester United’s interim manager search
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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Oliver Glasner has played down speculation linking him with Manchester United’s vacant managerial job
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 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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Best of Manchester United interim head coach 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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A look back at former players Ryan Giggs, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy when they took over as Manchester United manager and their first Premier League games.
“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
