Manchester United could appoint a new interim manager as early as TODAY, with Michael Carrick emerging as the leading candidate ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Ruben Amorim was dismissed from his position at Old Trafford last week, with former United midfielder Darren Fletcher stepping in to oversee fixtures against Burnley and Brighton.
The club’s senior figures, including director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrarda, have held talks with both Carrick and Solskjaer before reaching a final decision. Former Middlesbrough manager Carrick held discussions on Thursday, whilst Solskjaer met with the pair at Carrington over the weekend, according to The Guardian. There is a desire to finalise the appointment swiftly to allow the interim manager adequate preparation time ahead of the Manchester derby. United host Manchester City at Old Trafford in the Premier League this Saturday (12.30pm).
Should Carrick get the nod, he faces a challenging task in revitalising a squad already eliminated from both domestic cup competitions, with European qualification now dependent solely on league performance.
Fletcher offered a stark assessment of the situation awaiting the incoming manager. “You can see that the players are fragile and they need to build themselves up because it’s up to them now – they have got to respond,” he saidfollowing Sunday’s 2-1 FA Cup third round defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford.
“Confidence is one of the most powerful things in football. When you don’t have confidence, you have to dig deep – and you have to battle, grind, fight, work, win games – and then the confidence comes back.”
Fletcher maintained that he remains in the dark about the next steps. The Scottish manager is scheduled for talks at Carrington on Monday morning.
“I’ve had zero indication, and because all my energy and focus and concentration has had to be on these two games, in such a quick turnaround, and preparing the team, a three-game week, you know, everything that I said,” he remarked.
“So, I genuinely mean that. It’s a massive responsibility to lead this club, and I’ve gave it my best and ultimately I’m disappointed to not be able to win a game or to get a result today.
“But I feel like there were some good things in there. We created a lot of chances, shots, things like that. But, ultimately, it wasn’t enough.
“So I am more disappointed than anybody, really, because I care for the club and I want the club to do well and I want the players to do well.
“And genuinely mean that, it’s not about me. I’ve had my time as a player, it’s in the bank now, it’s done. Loved every minute of it, was very lucky. It’s all about them. But we need to help them, the club need to help them, and they’re going to need to help themselves.”