January 6, 2026
Following the sacking of Rúben Amorim, Manchester United’s search for a new manager has suddenly sped up.
And the surprise name now doing the rounds? Club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjær (52).
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Solskjær is “very open” to returning to Old Trafford as an interim manager until the end of the season, keen to help his former club out of its current mess.
Why Solskjær, and Why Now?
The idea of bringing back a manager dismissed back in 2021 might sound mad — but there are some very real reasons behind it.
An interim specialist:
When Solskjær replaced José Mourinho as caretaker in 2018, United went on an eight-game winning streak and looked reborn overnight. With the current squad visibly low on confidence, he’s seen as someone who can at least reset the mood.
Contract flexibility:
Solskjær has been unattached since being sacked by Beşiktaş last August, meaning no compensation issues. He’s also reportedly told the club he’s happy regardless of contract length — making him an ideal stopgap until a long-term option (such as Oliver Glasner) can be secured in the summer.
Fan backing:
Even when he was dismissed, Solskjær was sent off with “once a Red, always a Red” vibes. His popularity among supporters remains strong.
Manchester United’s Managerial Timeline (as of 06/01/2026)
Ultra-short term: Darren Fletcher
For Wednesday’s match against Burnley, U18 coach Darren Fletcher will take charge on a temporary basis.
Short term (until season end): Solskjær? Carrick?
The club are keen to avoid dragging out a Fletcher-only setup and are looking for a caretaker who can steady the ship until May. Solskjær is one option, with Michael Carrick (currently Middlesbrough manager) also mentioned.
Long term (from summer 2026): Oliver Glasner
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is reportedly the favourite to take over permanently next
Manchester United Fan Reactions
644: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 00:16:37
Sounds like Fletcher does Burnley and Brighton only,
then someone else takes over till the end of the season.
Problem is, that “someone” starts with City and Arsenal back to back.
740: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 04:59:45
No way they want Fletcher to finish the season,
but who else accepts a six-month deal?
Feels like Ole’s literally the only one.
744: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 06:20:08
Romano says Ole is interested,
and doesn’t care how long the contract is.
745: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 06:23:58
Is our Ole really coming back?
Man, that hits the feels.
747: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 06:32:59
I’d rather make Solskjær sporting director.
Feels like there’s zero people left with actual club love.
748: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 06:33:23
Romano info:
Ole Gunnar Solskjær is interested in becoming interim Man United manager,
and is willing to accept regardless of contract length.
https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2008283849902465043
751: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 06:52:33
Just give it to Conte, he actually knows how to use players.
752: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 06:55:45
Conte would rage-quit in three days lol.
754: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 07:12:54
Bring back McTominay and Højlund for Conte
and make him give them a usage manual.
761: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 07:32:36
Did Ole even want to be a manager?
Never looked that ambitious to me.
763: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 07:40:50
>>761
Unlike the pride-only ex-legends,
Ole actually loves the club.
764: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 07:42:49
In this situation, winter business is probably dead.
Loans for youngsters at best.
788: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 08:31:15
Is Ole actually the longest-serving post-Fergie manager?
798: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 08:44:23
Are we really about to believe in Ole again…
799: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 08:48:07
Defence will definitely get looser.
802: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 08:54:48
Just bring in Iraola or Marco Silva already.
807: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 09:09:19
>>802
Iraola’s defence is collapsing this season too.
If the players aren’t good enough, no coach fixes that.
819: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 09:37:06
>>807
They rebuilt the entire back line lol.
Any other coach would be bottom three with that squad.
805: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 09:00:17
Ratcliffe already admitted failure —
sacked Ashworth, hired Amorim, disaster.
Even the front-office gacha failed.
812: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 09:22:22
Football was actually fun under Ole.
I want him back.
815: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 09:25:19
Ashworth, Ten Hag, Amorim —
£45m just in compensation.
Could’ve bought a player instead.
INEOS…
820: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 09:38:10
Fletcher → Ole interim → summer Van Persie from Feyenoord.
United’s problems are off-pitch politics.
Without legends, no manager survives.
826: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 09:54:05
>>820
Van Persie talked about Arsenal love,
and even ETH achieved nothing.
No chance.
867: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 11:38:32
Please don’t do Ole again, even as interim.
We’ve already seen the ceiling.
876: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 11:46:43
>>867
Interim is Fletcher, right?
879: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 11:48:40
>>876
Immediate games are Fletcher,
but they don’t want him till season end.
Looks like a proper caretaker is coming.
877: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 11:48:13
Only Ole can fill Amorim’s hole.
878: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 11:48:39
Maresca won’t come — ruins his City path.
Guess Cunha false 9 it is.
Need a left winger badly.
881: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 11:54:51
This is Xavi, no question.
Mid-season domestic poaching is just bad optics.
883: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 12:02:13
Once you accept interim,
you’re basically forced out later.
892: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 12:16:14
Looking back, Ole was actually… decent?
894: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 12:21:02
Let’s rotate Ole → Van Nistelrooy → Rooney → Keane
one month each lol.
895: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 12:21:39
Ole’s trophyless run and that passive EL final still sting.
Also the 0-5 vs Liverpool.
Though the bald guy later lost 7-0 at Anfield.
914: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 12:47:24
Ole wanted Bellingham, Haaland, Rice before they broke out.
Man knows talent.
Let him handle recruitment.
919: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 12:55:19
>>914
Honestly, Ole as sporting director makes sense.
Bayern and Dortmund nailed that model with ex-players.
958: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 14:27:10
Ole being eager to manage again is kinda hilarious.
959: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 14:28:24
Ole… as interim?
Yeah, maybe.
997: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 17:15:57
With this level of chaos, a tactician won’t work.
And a strong-ego manager will clash with owners.
Southgate or Ole are the only realistic options.
999: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 17:44:02
Just go with Ole already.
