Carrick and Solskjaer Leading Candidates for Interim Manchester United Manager Position

Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have been identified as the top contenders to step in as Manchester United’s interim manager for the remainder of the season. Both former players hold brief managerial experience with the club and are slated for discussions with the team’s hierarchy.

Potential Collaboration

There is a possibility that Carrick and Solskjaer could work together, considering Carrick’s previous role as Solskjaer’s assistant when he succeeded Jose Mourinho in 2018. Until a caretaker is appointed, Darren Fletcher, the current under-18s coach, will serve as the interim manager.

Thoughts from Gary Neville

Gary Neville, a former United captain and current pundit, expressed that the club is revisiting familiar territory by considering an ex-player for the role. In comments made to Sky Sports, he remarked, “It’s a bit like déjà vu. Ole knows the club inside out and has previous experience of being in charge.”

Performance Under Interim Management

Fletcher managed his first match on Wednesday, resulting in a 2-2 draw against Burnley in the Premier League, and he will also oversee the upcoming FA Cup tie against Brighton. While the recruitment process was temporarily halted before the Burnley match, it is expected to resume shortly.

Former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has also been mentioned as a candidate, along with a search for a permanent manager following the recent departure of Amorim.

A Unified Front

There are indications from a player that the caretaker role could potentially be shared, or that Fletcher may remain in place for the entire season if the next few matches yield positive outcomes. Solskjaer’s own promotion to the manager role followed a similar scenario when Mourinho was dismissed in 2018.

Managerial Backgrounds: Carrick vs. Solskjaer

Managerial Experience Overview

• Solskjaer possesses a significantly more extensive managerial background when compared to Carrick, having overseen 332 more matches in various managerial positions.

• Solskjaer’s coaching career launched successfully when he led Molde to their first-ever league championship in 2011, repeating the feat the following year before moving to Cardiff City in 2014. His stint with Cardiff ended after a brief nine-month period.

• Returning to Molde, he was eventually called upon by Manchester United after Mourinho’s exit. In his time at United, he achieved notable success, including a Europa League final appearance and a second-place finish in the Premier League.

• His tenure ended without silverware, but he managed to stay longer than prior managers like David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.

Despite a lack of trophies since leaving Molde, Solskjaer maintains a commendable win rate of 53.1%.

Carrick’s Limited Tenure

• Contrarily, Carrick’s experience is more limited, boasting only one permanent managerial role at Middlesbrough. After retiring from his active playing career, he joined Mourinho’s coaching staff at Manchester United and remained through Solskjaer’s reign.

• Carrick had a brief opportunity as interim manager, where he won two matches and drew one before stepping aside for Ralf Rangnick.

• His time at Middlesbrough saw a playoff finish, but he was let go after failing to remain in contention for promotion. Carrick’s managerial win rate stands at 46.8%.

Future Prospects

As discussions continue regarding who will take the reins at Manchester United in the interim, both Carrick and Solskjaer’s shared history with the club might influence their potential roles. Meanwhile, contenders for a permanent position include current Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner and former Brighton coach Roberto de Zerbi, now at Marseille.