'Increasingly unlikely' update on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Man Utd to make manager appointment next week

Manchester United are unlikely to ask Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick to work together as the Red Devils plan to appoint an interim manager for the remainder of the season.

The Red Devils have held face-to-face talks with Carrick about the caretaker position while Solskjaer is due to hold his discussions with United today.

Ruben Amorim was sacked by United on Monday with the club planning on hiring an interim boss before looking for a permanent manager ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. An appointement is expected early next week ahead of the dery with Manchester City, Manchester World understands.

While Carrick and Solskjaer are in the mix to be temporary manager, the two are unlikely to work together. That is according to Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorestt, who reports that United feel the pair work better as number ones.

It had been reported by The Guardian earlier this week that Carrick would consider becoming assistant to Solskjaer if he did not get the interim job. The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was assistant to the Norwegian before between March 2019 and November 2021.

Carrick led the team for three games after Solskjaer was sacked but now it’s unlikely that he and the former United striker would work together in a similar capacity again.

“I have been told today that it is looking increasingly unlikely that the two will be asked to work together,” Dorsett said on Sky Sports News.

“Both former players remain at the forefront of Manchester United’s plans. It could now be a straight choice between the two of them for who could take charge of the remaining 17 Premier League matches.

“On assessment, it seems that United bosses have decided that Carrick and Solskjaer work best as a number one. Now, they’ve been impressed with current interim Darren Fletcher, both in the way he has carried himself around the training ground and how he has interacted with the media.

“Crucially, how he has built up a rapport with the players. That has bought them a bit of time.”

Darren Fletcher remains in contention to stay in charge of the Red Devils but it is Solskjaer who is the clear favourite to take over.

Speaking on the Market Madness podcast, notorious transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano issued an update on United’s search for a caretaker head coach, with Solskjaer still considered the favourite for the position.

“It could be a possibility. At the moment, it is still under discussion, because Man United met both of them in recent hours,” he said. “Solskjaer is very ready to make this happen, because he's really keen on the opportunity to return to Manchester United.

“With Carrick it was also a positive meeting. Now it's on the club to decide what kind of structure they want to build around the caretaker manager, but I'm sure this is going to be quite a quick process.

“So I expect in the next two, three days, Man United to sort everything out. Solskjaer is ready, very ready to accept any moment. So I don't think this is going to be a long process. I think in the next days, everything will be clear. And I maintain Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the clear favourite.”

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