Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is emerging as a leading candidate for the caretaker manager position at Manchester United following discussions with the club on Tuesday. This comes after United unexpectedly parted ways with Ruben Amorim, who ended his 14-month tenure at Old Trafford on Monday.
In the interim, Darren Fletcher, currently the Under-18s coach and a former United midfielder, will lead the team for Wednesday’s Premier League match against Burnley, with seasoned defender Jonny Evans returning to assist him. The club is actively seeking an interim solution that will last until the end of the season while they consider a full-time appointment for the upcoming campaign.
The option of returning to the helm for Solskjaer, who managed United from December 2018 to November 2021, brings a nostalgic touch to the situation. During his first stint, Solskjaer not only secured consecutive top-four finishes, the first since Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign, but also guided the team to the Europa League final in 2021. His departure in 2021 was marked by a series of disappointing results, notably a series of heavy defeats early in the following season.
Solskjaer has been out of a coaching role since leaving Turkish club Besiktas in August, where he led the team to a fourth-place finish earlier this year. Throughout his career, he has achieved notable success, including winning the Tippeligaen title twice with Molde in Norway.
Amorim’s departure came after he struggled during what has been labeled United’s worst Premier League campaign, finishing 15th in the table. The club’s sixth-place standing following a draw with Leeds United was the final nail in the coffin for Amorim’s management.
Fletcher, expressing his commitment, stated that he aims to create a team for supporters to be proud of, emphasizing the quality and dedication of the players at his disposal. With Solskjaer’s potential return, there is hope among fans that the club legend can rekindle some of the thrilling energy that marked his previous tenure.
The scenario is intriguing, as the club juggles the legacy of past glories with the need for a fresh and modernized approach to management. Whether Solskjaer’s return will evoke nostalgia or further the ambition of the team remains to be seen. It is a moment that captures the intersection of the club’s storied history and its ongoing quest for success in the highly competitive Premier League.