Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has emerged as a leading contender to return to Manchester United as caretaker manager after holding talks with the club earlier this week, as the search continues for stability following the departure of Ruben Amorim.
United moved swiftly on Monday to end Amorim’s 14 month spell at Old Trafford, bringing a turbulent chapter to a close and triggering immediate discussions around a short term solution for the remainder of the season. While the club prepares a wider search for a permanent appointment in the summer, an interim figure is expected to take charge until May.
Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, currently overseeing the club’s Under 18s, will lead the team for Wednesday night’s Premier League fixture away at Burnley, with Jonny Evans returning to assist the coaching staff. However, conversations have already taken place with external candidates, and Solskjaer is firmly among those under consideration.
United weighing interim experience and familiarity
The club’s current strategy is centred on appointing a caretaker manager capable of steadying the ship, restoring morale and guiding United through the second half of the campaign without derailing long term plans.
Solskjaer fits that brief in several ways. He remains a hugely popular figure among supporters, understands the demands of the role, and crucially has already experienced the unique pressures of leading United during a transitional period.
The Norwegian is believed to be open to stepping in should the opportunity arise. He retains a home in Cheshire and has maintained close ties to the club since leaving his managerial post in 2021. While no final decision has been made, early discussions indicate a genuine willingness on both sides to explore the possibility.
Other names have also been discussed internally, including Ruud van Nistelrooy, who previously took interim charge following Erik ten Hag’s departure last season. For now, the focus remains on ensuring continuity across upcoming fixtures while senior figures assess the best short term fit.
Darren Fletcher handed immediate responsibility
For the moment, responsibility rests with Fletcher, who will oversee at least the next two matches. The former United midfielder has spoken openly about the emotional weight of the task and his desire to reconnect the team with the supporters.
“I don’t even think it’s in my wildest dreams that that was something that could potentially happen,” Fletcher admitted. “Hopefully it looks like a Manchester United team that represents a bit of me, a team that fans can be proud of and I can be proud of.”
He added: “We’ve got good players who care and a lot of quality and I hope to give them a platform to show that. It’s their season, their careers, their opportunity. I’m here to help them.”
United sources have been clear that Fletcher has the full backing of the club during this initial period, regardless of any parallel conversations taking place with external candidates.
A reminder of Solskjaer’s first United reign
Solskjaer previously managed United between December 2018 and November 2021, initially stepping in as caretaker following the dismissal of Jose Mourinho. What began as a temporary appointment quickly evolved into a permanent role after an impressive run of results reinvigorated the squad.
During his tenure, United recorded back to back top four finishes for the first time since the Sir Alex Ferguson era and reached the Europa League final in 2021, where they were narrowly beaten by Villarreal on penalties.
Solskjaer also guided United to a second place Premier League finish in the 2020 to 21 season, the club’s highest league position since Ferguson retired in 2013. Only Mourinho has matched that achievement in the intervening years.
There were memorable European nights, most notably the dramatic Champions League comeback against Paris St Germain, as well as high profile domestic victories over Manchester City and other rivals. For a period, there was genuine belief that United were edging closer to a sustained title challenge.
How it unravelled and why it still matters
Despite those highs, Solskjaer’s time ultimately ended in disappointment. The 2021 to 22 campaign began poorly, and a run of heavy defeats eroded confidence quickly. Losses included a 5 0 home defeat to Liverpool, a limp Manchester derby, and a damaging 4 1 loss away at Watford.
The return of Cristiano Ronaldo brought goals but also tactical complications, and by November 2021 Solskjaer was dismissed. His emotional farewell interview, delivered through official club channels, left a lasting impression on supporters and reinforced a sense of unfinished business.
Since then, Solskjaer has largely remained out of the Premier League spotlight. He spent time with Besiktas, finishing fourth in the Turkish Super Lig after taking charge mid season, but departed in August following defeat in the Conference League play offs. Prior to that, he enjoyed significant success at Molde, winning two Norwegian league titles.
Why United may turn back to a familiar face
From United’s perspective, a caretaker appointment is as much about mood as results. The club has endured another unstable campaign and is keen to avoid further upheaval while a broader structural review continues behind the scenes.
Solskjaer’s return would represent a deliberate nod to familiarity and emotional connection. He understands the culture, commands instant respect in the dressing room, and would not require a prolonged bedding in period. For a fan base craving clarity and calm, that matters.
There are also practical considerations. Solskjaer is available, willing, and experienced in exactly this type of role. Unlike a long term appointment, his return would not signal a deviation from United’s wider plans to modernise their football operation ahead of next season.
The league position and the immediate task
United currently sit sixth in the Premier League, following Sunday’s draw with Leeds United, which proved to be Amorim’s final match in charge. While European qualification remains achievable, performances have lacked consistency and confidence.
Amorim leaves after overseeing the bulk of United’s worst ever Premier League campaign the previous season, when the club finished 15th with just 42 points, their lowest total since relegation in 1973 to 74.
The immediate priority is to stabilise results, restore belief and give players a clear platform to perform. Whether that task ultimately falls to Fletcher, Solskjaer or another interim figure remains to be seen, but clarity is expected soon.
A return few expected but many would welcome
Seven years on from his first caretaker call up, the idea of Solskjaer returning still carries a sense of surprise. Much has changed at Old Trafford, yet some of the same challenges remain.
For sections of the support, his potential return would be warmly received, not as a step backwards but as a familiar hand during another period of transition. For the club hierarchy, it would be a calculated short term move rather than a sentimental long term gamble.
If it does happen, it would be one of the more unexpected managerial returns in recent Premier League history. But in a season already defined by upheaval, it may be exactly the kind of reset Manchester United feel they need.