Carrick Overtakes Solskjær In Race For Manchester United Interim Job After Key Interviews

‎Michael Carrick has become the leading candidate to take over as Manchester United’s interim manager for the remainder of the season.

‎He has moved ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjær following the interview process. 

‎Although chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox have not made a formal offer, they are leaning toward appointing Carrick, with a final decision expected on Monday.

‎This follows both Carrick and Solskjær having face-to-face discussions with the hierarchy. Berrada and Wilcox met Carrick on Thursday and Solskjær on Saturday at the club’s Carrington training ground.

‎Ole Gunnar Solskjær was initially seen as the leading candidate to return to Manchester United in the interim role he previously held from December 2018 to March 2019 before becoming permanent manager until November 2021.

‎However, Michael Carrick has now moved ahead of him in the race for the job. Current interim manager Darren Fletcher may be asked to stay on and assist Carrick if he is appointed.

‎Berrada and Wilcox want to give whoever is appointed the maximum time to prepare for the visit of Manchester City to Old Trafford for the derby on Saturday.

‎Why Fletcher might be out

‎The development follows Darren Fletcher’s admission that he is unsure about his immediate future as Manchester United’s caretaker manager after overseeing the 2–1 FA Cup third-round loss to Brighton on Sunday.

‎That match was only his second game in temporary charge. He had also led the team in the 2–2 league draw at Burnley on Wednesday.

‎He said, “I’ve had no discussions. I have to report tomorrow morning to Carrington, that is all I know. I will find out tomorrow morning. I have had zero indications.

‎”All my focus has been on this [Burnley and Brighton]. It is a massive responsibility to lead this club, and I have given it my best, and I am disappointed not to win a game.

‎”I think there are some good things there, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough. I am more disappointed than anyone.”

‎The FA Cup exit means the 13-time winners have been knocked out of both domestic cups at the first hurdle for the first time since the 1981–82 season. As a result, they will play only 40 games this campaign, their fewest in a full season in 111 years.

‎ Fletcher said, “That is where we are at. We can’t hide behind that.”

‎With United in seventh place on 32 points and sitting three behind fourth-placed Liverpool, which guarantees qualification, Darren Fletcher acknowledged the team’s low confidence after taking over from the sacked Ruben Amorim. He urged the players not to let the season go to waste.

‎“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 said.

‎“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.”

‎“True character reveals itself in difficult times and we learned a lot about the players. They have to dig in, show they want to be part of Man United’s future, and ultimately, if you are not, I don’t think you should be here.

‎”They are experienced players, talented players and I challenge them to regroup. It’s over to them.

‎“Someone is going to come in and lead them, they need to make sure they have a lot to play for this season. This team is still good enough to achieve success this season, but they have to dig deep and find a way within themselves.”

How the FA Cup match went down

‎Another former United player had a good day, Danny Welbeck having a hand in Brighton’s first and scoring the second, with Benjamin Sesko’s late header the only response, which was his eighth goal against his former club.

‎Fabian Hürzeler, Brighton’s manager, said of Welbeck, “I think to describe him best is to say that he is a role model on the pitch [and] beside it [a] great connector. He is a great goalscorer, he is there at the right moment.

‎”He missed a big chance, but good goal scorers never give up; they are always ready.”