Last week, both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick had negotiations with the Manchester United board of directors. Both want to return to work as interim managers until the end of the season with the same view that to help the team, all issues of treatment are secondary.
Besides, there is a noteworthy detail that both Carrick and Ole do not want to be assistants for the other, so only one of the two can sit in the hot seat to replace Darren Fletcher.
At this point, it seems that the "flag bearer" is Carrick after negotiations between him and the "Red Devils'" staff have made more progress. If Carrick sits in the hot seat, it is highly likely that Fletcher will be kept as assistant, not having to return to the U18 team anymore. The board also wants to find another assistant for Carrick when he officially takes over.
Keeping Fletcher can be a good decision for Man United's leadership because in the past, both Fletcher and Carrick have been side by side for many years when both were players at the club. Fletcher is 3 years younger than Carrick, so it will be easier to communicate and exchange work.
Instead of the initial information that will announce the identity of the replacement Fletcher today, Man United's leadership will freeze the information and not reveal anything for at least the next 48 hours.
Two directors, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox, need more time to ask for instructions from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer owners about this important decision.
Michael Carrick is 44 years old this year, having coached Man United on a temporary basis for 3 matches after Ole Solskjaer left in 2021. This former midfielder has played for the "Red Devils" for 12 years from 2006 - 2018, winning 5 Premier League titles, 1 Champions League and many other achievements. He has not been a coach since being fired by Middlesborough in the summer of 2025.
Comparing the Man United coaching achievements of Carrick and Ole Solskjaer is very difficult to use as a basis for this appointment. Ole once had a great interim period before officially leading. Meanwhile, the interim period Carrick did quite well, although only 3 matches, Man United at that time won Villarreal, won Arsenal and drew with Chelsea.
Choosing who to choose between Carrick and Solskjaer cannot compare the level of these two coaches. Both have had certain successes, accompanied by failures leading to dismissals. However, with INEOS's force rejuvenation policy, choosing Carrick may be more reasonable because he is 8 years younger than Solskjaer.
Solskjaer also worked at Man United for 3 years as a coach, so he may be commented that there are not too many new points because in the period after that, the Norwegian coach also did not have any outstanding achievements in his coaching career.
After losing to Brighton in the FA Cup, Man United still retains Fletcher's interim rights. Former center-back Jonny Evans is supporting Fletcher in this period.
