The future of Manchester United's management is in flux, with the club's leadership in a delicate position. Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are the leading contenders to step in as caretaker managers until the end of the season, but the choice is not without controversy.
Carrick and Solskjaer, both former players with a history of managing United, are set to hold face-to-face discussions with the club's leadership. Their potential partnership is an intriguing prospect, given Carrick's role in Solskjaer's coaching team when he took over at Old Trafford in 2018. However, the question of who will take the reins permanently remains open, with several names in the running.
Darren Fletcher, currently the Under-18s coach at United, is another name in the frame. He will continue as interim manager until a caretaker is appointed, taking charge of his first match on Wednesday against Burnley. The former midfielder is seen as a strong candidate, but the club is also considering other options.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former United striker, is believed to be a contender for the role. The club's leadership is considering a range of options, and the decision will be made based on what is best for the team's future.
The search for a permanent successor to former manager Amorim, who was sacked on Monday after a turbulent 14 months in charge, is ongoing. The club plans to announce a new permanent manager in the summer, but the caretaker role is a crucial step in that process.
One player has shared with BBC Sport that it is possible the role could be shared by more than one of the contenders, or that Fletcher could even stay in the job until the end of the season if the next two matches are successful. This is a controversial suggestion, and it remains to be seen how the club's leadership will respond.
Solskjaer's initial appointment in 2018 was similar, and he went on to become the full-time manager for three years before being sacked in November 2021. Carrick had a brief three-game stint as temporary boss after Solskjaer's dismissal, but he left the club in December 2021. Both men are experienced in the role, but the club's leadership must decide who is best suited to lead the team moving forward.
The search for a new manager is a complex process, and the club's leadership must consider a range of factors. The future of Manchester United's management is uncertain, but the club is taking a deliberate approach to finding the right person for the job. The decision will be made in the coming months, and the club's fans will be watching closely to see who will lead the team into the future.
