Interim Management at Manchester United: The Search for a Permanent Solution

On Wednesday night, Fletcher took the reins for his first match as interim manager, overseeing a 2-2 draw against relegation-threatened Burnley. He is set to lead the team in the upcoming FA Cup third-round clash with Brighton, but questions linger regarding his future with the club beyond this fixture.

The former midfielder may remain in his role until the end of the season, as Manchester United plans to secure a permanent replacement for Amorim during the summer. Solskjaer is reportedly eager to return to Old Trafford for a second stint and is scheduled for discussions with the club regarding this possibility.

However, Solskjaer faces competition from Michael Carrick, who has already begun preliminary talks with United’s leadership. Carrick met with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox about a potential return, while Solskjaer will have his meeting with them this weekend.

Since leaving his position as Besiktas manager over the summer, Solskjaer has been out of work and is currently viewed as the frontrunner to oversee the remaining matches of the season. Carrick, who served as a first-team coach during Solskjaer’s tenure from 2018 to 2021, is also a serious contender for the managerial role. Despite having previously taken over temporarily after Solskjaer’s dismissal in 2021, it appears that a collaboration between the two is unlikely.

Fletcher, having made a positive impression since stepping into his role, cannot be discounted as a candidate for the permanent position. When questioned about discussions regarding his long-term future, he stated, “I haven’t spoken with anyone outside of Omar and Jason. They have entrusted me with full responsibility for these two games, and that is what I am focused on.”

The prospect of Solskjaer’s return is met with mixed feelings. Former United right-back and current Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has expressed that bringing Solskjaer back would resemble a repetitive cycle. He remarked, “It’s almost like a movie we’ve all seen before. While Ole loves the club and knows the job, the other mentioned candidates like Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy also have strong connections and would face significant pressure if results falter.”

Roy Keane has suggested that United should consider pursuing Newcastle’s Eddie Howe as a successor to Amorim, praising his calm demeanor and successful track record. He stated, “He has managed hundreds of games and has done well at Newcastle, which might be what Manchester United needs.”

Echoing Keane’s sentiments, Neville emphasized the need for United to “remove the risks” in their managerial search. He indicated that if the club could wait for a high-caliber manager like Carlo Ancelotti or Thomas Tuchel, it would be advantageous for their long-term success. Neville highlighted the importance of appointing someone with Premier League experience who has managed under pressure and can handle the expectations of such a prominent role.