Ole Gunnar Solskjaer set for Manchester United talks over interim role

Manchester United’s search for an interim head coach is gathering pace, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer set to hold face-to-face talks with the club’s hierarchy on Saturday.

Sky Sports News report that Solskjaer is now one of the leading candidates to take charge until the end of the season, with Michael Carrick the other main option under consideration at Old Trafford.

United moved quickly to assess internal and familiar options after deciding to part ways with Ruben Amorim earlier this week, bringing an end to his underwhelming 14-month spell in charge.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now scheduled to meet senior figures at Manchester United on Saturday, while Michael Carrick has already held discussions with the club’s leadership earlier in the week.

Ruud van Nistelrooy and current caretaker Darren Fletcher have also been considered, but Sky Sports indicate Solskjaer and Carrick remain at the forefront of the club’s thinking.

No appointment is expected before Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion, which Fletcher will oversee once again.

Speaking on Friday, Fletcher insisted he has had no further conversations about his own future beyond regular contact with United’s senior executives.

United drew 2-2 away at Burnley in Fletcher’s first match in caretaker charge, a performance that showed promise but also familiar frustrations. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox were present at Turf Moor and remain Fletcher’s sole points of contact within the hierarchy.

“I’ve not spoken to anyone else,” Fletcher said.

“The process here is that I speak to Omar and Jason. I’ve been focusing on the job in hand, preparing the team for these two games. There’s been no thoughts or conversations about my future.”

The prospect of Solskjaer returning has divided opinion. Speaking on Sky Sports, Gary Neville likened the situation to a familiar pattern at United.

“It’s almost like Groundhog Day,” Neville said.

“You go back to the old boys, then you go for a new one, then you go for more experience. It’s a cycle we’ve all seen before.”

Neville acknowledged Solskjaer’s deep connection to the club but warned that any interim appointment will face immense pressure over the coming months, particularly if results falter.

Former captain Roy Keane used the same platform to argue that United should be thinking beyond an interim fix, calling for proven experience at the helm.

Keane named Eddie Howe as his preferred successor, praising his calmness and track record, while Neville suggested the club may ultimately wait until the summer to target elite-level coaches such as Carlo Ancelotti or Thomas Tuchel.

The message from both pundits was clear: United need to reduce risk and appoint someone with a proven ability to handle pressure, elite players and the Premier League environment.

United are expected to continue talks over the weekend before deciding whether to appoint an interim head coach or allow Fletcher to remain in place a little longer. With the FA Cup and league fixtures looming, clarity is required quickly — even if the long-term answer is being pushed back to the summer.

Should Manchester United turn back to a familiar face in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer — or hold their nerve for a more experienced long-term appointment?