Ole Gunnar Solskjaer set to return to Manchester United as caretaker days after Ruben Amorim sacked
Sir Gareth Southgate heads a list of names being considered by Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to return as Manchester United boss until the end of the season after the Red Devils sacked Ruben Amorim on Monday.
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According to reports, both Solskjaer and his former assistant Michael Carrick spoke to the United hierarchy on Tuesday with a final decision between the pair set to be made later this week.
Solskjaer has emerged as the leading candidate for the interim role, in lieu of his successful interim spell in 2018/19 which saw him granted the role on a permanent basis.
Darren Fletcher, who will be in charge for United's game at Burnley on Wednesday, is also thought to have an outside chance of the interim post.
The Norwegian United legend, who scored arguably the club's most famous goal with his late winner in the 1999 Champions League final, has been out of work since leaving Turkish club Besiktas in August.
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Portuguese gaffer Ruben Amorim was fired on Monday following a 1-1 draw with Leeds at Elland Road, which leaves the Red Devils sixth in the Premier League after 20 games.
Amorim spent more than £200m on Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbuemo, and Matheus Cunha over the summer after the side finished only 15th last season and lost the Europa League final.
United were also humiliated in the early stages of the League Cup, losing on penalties to the fourth tier side Grimsby Town.
Manchester United’s director of operations Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire boss of chemicals company Ineos, is yet to name a full-time replacement but Sir Gareth Southgate and Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner have been hotly linked.
The former England manager has been out of football since leading the Three Lions to the final of Euro 2024 and is the bookies’ fourth favourite, according to Oddschecker.
What is Sir Gareth Southgate doing now?
Two days after England lost to Spain in the final of Euro 2024, Sir Gareth stepped down as manager.
"As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all,” he said.
“But it's time for change, and for a new chapter.”
His “new chapter” has, however, been out of the public eye and seen him work as Goodwill Ambassador for the Prince's Trust.
Sir Gareth is also known to be writing a book and has business interests outside of football, but although aware that few positions could top a World Cup semi-final, he hasn’t ruled out a return to the dugout.
“You can’t say never to anything because 15 years ago I left Middlesbrough and I wasn’t certain I would manage then,” he said last year.
Who could be the next Manchester United manager?
All odds were taken from Oddscheker at 4.30pm on Monday, January 5.
Darren Fletcher (5/1)
The interim manager was a midfielder for years under his fellow Scot Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and went onto play for West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City.
The 41-year-old has been in charge of United’s under-18 side for the past year.
Xavi (12/1)
Xavi Hernandez, who played for Barcelona and Spain under his first name, is out of work, having been sacked as manager by his old club in April 2024. The 45-year-old is known for an attacking style and for developing young players.
Enzo Maresca (11/4)
The Italian is an option, having last week left Chelsea - who he steered to World Club Cup glory last summer in the US.
The 45-year-old had admitted to speaking to Manchester City about potentially taking over as manager in the future.
Gareth Southgate (7/1)
Sir Gareth is also a free agent and has been out of work since leaving England in 2024.
While he could return to the game, the Mirror has reported he has “serious reservations” about taking over at Manchester United.
Oliver Glasner (6/4)
A favourite for the role is Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, who led the Eagles to their first ever trophy, in winning last season’s FA Cup.
The Austrian has set up a tough side on a limited budget and made stars of Marc Guehi and Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Andoni Iraola (16/1)
The Bournemouth manager has great credentials having guided the Cherries to a top ten finish last season.
While their 2025-26 campaign has had its ups and downs, United would do well to lure the Spaniard to the north west.
Marco Silva (20/1)
An outside bet is Fulham’s Marco Silva, who has settled at the West London club, having had spells in charge of Hull, Watford and Everton.
The Portuguese led Fulham to 54 points last season, which was their highest ever total.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (22/1)
Solskjaer was in charge of United from 2018 to 2021 but has been out of the dugout since, save for a brief spell at Besiktas last year.
The Norwegian led the club where he played as a striker in the 1990s and 2000s to second in 2020-21, but was sacked later that year after a poor run.
Kieran McKenna (14/1)
The Ipswich manager has only managed his current club but worked as a coach of Manchester United from 2016 to 2021.
Having led the Tractor Boys to the Premier League in 2024-25, he has since readjusted to life in the Championship after an instant relegation.
Laurent Blanc (33/1)
Former centre back Blanc finished his playing career with United in 2003 and has since gone onto coach PSG as well as the France national team.
Now 60, Blanc most recently managed Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.