Man Utd speak to former manager over return following Amorim sacking

Manchester United have spoken to two former players about the interim manager’s role.

Ruben Amorim was fired on Monday after 14 underwhelming months ended in acrimony as things unravelled following Friday’s heated meeting with director of football Jason Wilcox.

The club has now spoken with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick about becoming the head coach for the rest of the season.

Under-18s boss Darren Fletcher has been temporarily promoted to interim head coach for Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Burnley and could stay in charge for United’s FA Cup tie against Brighton.

The former midfielder is among those under consideration to take charge for the remainder of the season and insiders say the club spoke to former boss Solskjaer on Tuesday.

The 1999 treble hero was named as Jose Mourinho’s temporary replacement in December 2018 and got the full-time post in March 2019.

Solskjaer led United to second place in the Premier League in 2020-21 and lost that season’s Europa League final to Villarreal, before being sacked in November 2021.

The Norwegian has only managed Turkish giants Besiktas since leaving Old Trafford.

Carrick was part of Solskjaer’s coaching staff and stepped in as caretaker boss before himself leaving the club.

The former United midfielder went on to take charge of Championship side Middlesbrough between October 2022 and last June.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, who led United between Erik ten Hag’s sacking and Amorim’s arrival in November 2024, is also reportedly under consideration. Another club great, he was sacked by Leicester towards the end of last season.

Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has distanced himself from the managerial vacancy at United after being touted as a replacement for Amorim by Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.

The 48-year-old, who was linked with the job at Old Trafford before Amorim was appointed 14 months ago and mentioned briefly in dispatches at the weekend after Chelsea dispensed with the services of Enzo Maresca, figured prominently in a list of potential replacements discussed by the two highly-respected former United midfielders on their podcast, The Good, the Bad and the Football.

However Howe, who was equally unequivocal when his name was thrown into the hat for the England manager’s job following Gareth Southgate’s departure, was swift to reiterate his “100 per cent” commitment to the Magpies.

Asked if that remained the case, he said: “Yes, absolutely. Nothing has changed from my perspective.

“I’m 100 per cent here, working as hard as I can, head down, ignoring all the stuff that you guys write good or bad because it’s irrelevant.

“It’s about today’s work and trying to prepare the team as well as we can for Leeds, so that will never change from my perspective, my commitment to my work and my job.

“As long as I’m happy and able to express myself in the best way that I can to help the team, nothing will change.”