Manchester United reportedly have an issue with re-appointing Ole Gunnar Solskjær as interim manager, following Rúben Amorim’s dismissal.
Manchester United’s decision to sack Rúben Amorim following his comments after the 1-1 draw with Leeds United has left Darren Fletcher as caretaker boss for a minimum of two games, alongside under-21s boss Travis Binnion and Jonny Evans.
Jason Wilcox is searching for an interim coach until the end of the season, with a new ‘head coach’ set to be appointed during the summer. Fletcher will take charge until an interim manager is found, likely up until the FA Cup tie against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon.
Fletcher’s first match in charge was an away trip to Burnley on Wednesday evening. United came out with just one point, but many fans were impressed with the performance, which included two goals from Benjamin Šeško following a difficult first half.
Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount all made their return in the 2-2 draw, and could be set for more minutes against Brighton. A decision on Bryan Mbeumo’s participation has now been made – following Cameroon’s AFCON exit at the hands of Noussair Mazraoui’s Morocco.
United could be with Mbeumo and more AFCON stars against Manchester City next weekend, when a new interim manager should have been appointed.
United’s Solskjær concern revealed
The leading candidates for the interim position at Old Trafford appear to be Ole Gunnar Solsjkær and Michael Carrick. Both worked together as manager and assistant, respectively, before the Norwegian was sacked after a 4-0 defeat to Watford.
As reported by ESPN, Solskjær is set for a face-to-face meeting with Wilcox and Omar Berrada on Saturday, while a meeting with Carrick has already taken place.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took charge of United following Erik ten Hag’s sacking, is also said to be a candidate, but is further down the list. Keeping Fletcher until the end of the season could be another option for the United higher-ups.
While Solsjkær is one of the front-runners, United hold a concern over appointing the former centre-forward due to the make-up of his backroom staff, as per ESPN.
In his last tenure, Solsjkær was assisted by Carrick, Kieran McKenna and Mike Phelan. It is widely understood that Solskjær was more of a man-manager, while Carrick and McKenna coached the tactics of the team.
Fletcher could help Solsjkær’s chances
While both have a great knowledge of how United works, there is not much to split Carrick and Solsjkær apart from their managerial styles. Carrick is much more of a ‘head coach’, while the Norwegian focuses on the personality side of the job.
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If Fletcher is to remain a coach in the first team – leaving behind his previous role as under-18s boss – then Solsjkær may get the nod.
Fletcher is widely understood to be football-obsessed and has a great knowledge of the tactical side of the game, meaning Solsjkær could go back to his role as man-manager and leave Fletcher to manage the system.
However, if he is to return to the U18S, Carrick may be handed the United job as he has proven he can manage both the tactics and people, from his time as Middlesbrough boss.
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