Solskjaer emerges as the frontrunner for Manchester United's interim manager role! Four club legends are in contention, and Fletcher may also stay on.

As reported by "Jingji Net," Manchester United icon Solskjaer has already initiated negotiations on Tuesday to return as manager. He is the favorite to take charge as interim coach for the rest of the campaign. Renowned transfer expert David Ornstein and United correspondent Laurie Whitwell noted that former striker Van Nistelrooy, who was Solskjaer's backup, is also a candidate. Van Nistelrooy temporarily managed the team after Ten Hag's dismissal, achieving an unbeaten run of 3 wins and 1 draw in four matches.

Regardless, Darren Fletcher will lead the team for at least the next two matches: the Premier League away game at Burnley and the FA Cup home match against Brighton. Jonny Evans, who retired this season, will return to the club as an assistant coach temporarily. Interestingly, Solskjaer, Van Nistelrooy, and Fletcher were all teammates in the past.

Manchester United has decided to appoint an interim coach to manage the team until the end of this season, with a full search for a permanent manager planned for the summer. This will open up more options, especially since many top coaches may leave after the World Cup. Additionally, the club’s coaching staff includes free agents like Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth’s Antony Elanga, whose contracts have expired and could be signed without transfer fees.

Solskjaer has made it clear that he would return whenever Manchester United calls. Currently unattached to any club, he can join immediately and owns a house in Cheshire, saving the club hotel expenses. He managed United from December 2018 to November 2021, leading the team to runner-up finishes in the Premier League and Europa League and securing top-four finishes for two consecutive seasons.

Solskjaer initially joined Manchester United on loan from Molde after Mourinho was sacked, stepping in as a caretaker. One of his main traits is a strong initial surge in performance, which was also evident during his time managing Besiktas in the Turkish league.

After taking over in January, he led Besiktas to a six-match winning streak but ultimately finished fourth in the Turkish league. Following a defeat in the Europa Conference League playoff in August, Solskjaer was dismissed by Besiktas and has been out of work since.

The Norwegian’s coaching style focuses on accommodating players' needs to maintain a joyful and harmonious locker room. Tactically, he favors defensive counter-attacks. If he returns successfully before the derby against Manchester City, he could unsettle Guardiola. Solskjaer holds a record of 4 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses in 8 matches against Guardiola, boasting a 50% win rate—the highest among all managers facing him.

Another authority, BBC’s Simon Stone, revealed that besides Solskjaer, Manchester United has also held preliminary talks with Carrick. Carrick briefly managed United after Solskjaer’s departure, remaining unbeaten. He, Solskjaer, and Fletcher were also teammates. Carrick left Middlesbrough in the Championship last year and has not managed since, so he could join at any time and is even more familiar with the club than Solskjaer.

Van Nistelrooy is also among the candidates, confirmed by Stone. After Amrolić took over as coach, Van Nistelrooy’s request to stay was declined. He then managed Leicester City, but the team struggled badly, suffering an eight-match home winless streak without scoring a goal, eventually leading to relegation. Last summer, Van Nistelrooy negotiated a contract termination with Leicester and is currently unemployed.

BBC Sport reports that Fletcher, who is currently managing Manchester United, has also discussed with sporting director Jason Wilcox about serving as interim coach until the end of the season. Strong performances in his two matches in charge could boost his chances. However, all these talks remain in very early stages and are mainly exploratory. Unlike "Jingji Net," which favors Solskjaer, BBC sources say Carrick is a highly considered candidate.

“I honestly feel this goes beyond the wildest dreams, and for me, it’s an incredible honor. I never imagined I’d get the chance to lead Manchester United,” Fletcher said at Tuesday’s pre-match Premier League press conference, speaking as United’s manager for the first time. “I hope the team reflects some of my qualities, making the fans proud and myself proud as well. We have excellent players who are committed and talented, and I want to give them a platform to showcase themselves. This season belongs to them, their careers, and their opportunities. I’m here to help them.”

According to BBC, Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Marseille’s Roberto De Zerbi are top contenders to manage Manchester United this summer, but neither will leave their current clubs mid-season. At a recent Premier League press conference, when asked about rumors linking him to United, Glasner responded, “I am the Crystal Palace manager, so asking me any more questions about this is pointless.”