January 8, 2026
[Man U] Shockwaves after Amorim sacking — Solskjær & Carrick poised to return until season’s end
Following the sudden dismissal of Ruben Amorim, Manchester United have stepped up talks to bring back former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær, alongside his old right-hand man Michael Carrick, as interim managers until the end of the season.
With chaos still hanging over Old Trafford, club executives appear ready to gamble once more on an “ex-players rebuild”, hoping familiar faces can calm the dressing room.
Latest developments: Solskjær the frontrunner, Carrick likely to rejoin
According to reports from BBC and Sky Sports, United’s football director Jason Wilcox has already held informal talks with both men.
Solskjær’s situation:
Currently unattached and reportedly spotted in Cheshire (near Manchester) on Tuesday, negotiations are said to be entering the final phase.
Carrick’s situation:
Carrick stepped down as Middlesbrough manager last June and is also free. Given his previous role under Solskjær, a return as part of the coaching staff is considered highly likely.
Van Nistelrooy ruled out:
Former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, briefly linked with the role, is now reported to be out of the interim race.
January 7 result recap: Burnley frustration
With Darren Fletcher in temporary charge, United’s Premier League Round 21 match ended in familiar frustration.
Score: Burnley 2–2 Manchester United
Scorers: Benjamin Šeško (50’, 60’)
Match flow: United fell behind to an own goal, fought back brilliantly through Šeško’s brace, then conceded late to share the points with a relegation-zone side.
What next? FA Cup deadline looming
United want clarity before the FA Cup tie against Brighton & Hove Albion on January 11, pushing the club toward a swift decision.
Man U Fan Reactions
14: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 17:51
Ole, huh. He looks motivated, but who knows how this ends. Short-term, maybe he does a job.
18: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 17:55
If Carrick’s joining as coach anyway, why not just make him interim instead of Fletcher?
25: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 18:23
Ole sneaks into 4th, gets a three-year deal — I can see it happening.
27: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 18:28
Fletcher’s fine. Don’t hate Ole, but still.
35: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 18:59
Ole without Carrick or McKenna on the bench this time is scary.
40: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 19:16
Ole works. Tactics aren’t what this United need right now.
67: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 20:41
Six months of Ole? Sure. Winning the league? Not in this Premier League. We already learned that.
69: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 20:51
He finished second once. No City, no problem — we’d have won it.
88: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 21:15
All I remember is Ole sitting on the bench the whole game.
102: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 22:26
>>88
Hard to shout instructions when you don’t have any. Ole classic.
111: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 22:51
Let Ole handle the forwards and wingers. Give midfield to someone else.
116: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 23:01
Ole as caretaker, Tuchel/Nagelsmann/Poch talks behind the scenes, then Ole to SD and Wilcox out — best-case scenario.
140: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 23:38
>>116
Isn’t Vivel the SD?
153: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 00:07
>>140
Vivel runs scouting. Wilcox is basically doing SD + FD right now after Ashworth left.
117: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 23:02
Ole volunteering for this mess is kind of insane. And if the board really brings him back, I’ll be stunned.
118: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 23:02
Maybe Evans and Carrick only agreed to return because it’s Fletcher in charge for now.
126: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 23:18
Ole once said he’s interested in a front-office role. Eye for players is decent. Manager? Please no.
134: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 23:31
If it’s only until this season ends, I don’t mind extending him.
139: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 23:33
Long unemployed, failed in Turkey, reputation’s low right now.
142: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 23:40
For a mid-season job, a motivator like Ole might actually fit.
146: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 23:49
Ole would at least energise the South Americans. As interim, it’s safe enough.
191: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 02:33
Ole met the club on Tuesday and is now the top interim candidate.
192: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 02:41
This is actually happening lol.
194: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 03:03
For this season, Ole-ball freedom is fine. Next season? Absolutely not.
199: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 03:25
Basically decided then. If results come, I’m fine with another year.
202: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 03:39
No objection to Ole as interim. As permanent boss? Nah.
223: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 08:07
Ole-ball is chaos in attack and defence. Might be even more stressful than Amorim. League’s tougher now too.
225: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 08:11
>>223
Can nick wins off top teams, but beating low blocks consistently? Doubt it.
253: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 09:40
>>225
Players enjoy freedom, Ole’s kind, morale rises. Counters vs high lines worked great. Low blocks? Zero ideas. The highlight compilations fooled people.
241: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 08:51
Post-Mourinho Ole was electric. Post-Amorim Ole might be the same.
248: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 09:16
Wasn’t interim Ole just PSG and not much else?
250: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 09:25
>>248
Eight wins in a row, mate.
255: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 09:58
As interim, Ole’s fine. Lets us judge whether ditching Ten Hag–Amorim possession was right.
266: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 11:15
Rumoured staff: Ole manager, Fletcher, Evans, Carrick as coaches.
281: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 12:39
Short-term bounce maybe, but Ole has no plan. No Pogba, Cavani, Greenwood, Rashford peak, Bruno aging — this won’t last. Interim Ole would get laughed at worldwide.
283: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 12:47
Ole era ended badly, but still miles better than Amorim. That judgement’s fair.
318: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 14:26
No time to drill tactics now. Motivator Ole makes sense.
340: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 16:42
Ole over Carrick? Fine. But if assistant, give me Rooney instead of Evans.
341: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 16:43
We need a manager who makes players comfortable. That’s Ole.
343: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 16:46
Complex tactics are pointless if you can’t teach them. You need ideas players can actually execute.
353: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 18:14
Honestly excited about Ole’s return. Just counter with Rashford and vibes.
364: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 18:59
I don’t hate Ole, but why isn’t Fletcher good enough?
365: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 19:05
>>364
No charisma. Sounds like Berrada’s call anyway.
370: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 19:20
Any interim who gets CL is fine. Just don’t make Ole permanent — which the board might do, and that scares me.
375: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 19:54
>>370
Calling Solskjær just wastes time. Obvious.
379: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 20:09
Even Matic, who went back to Mourinho, said Ole rated him.
382: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 20:13
Ole era worked because Bruno + Cavani carried it.
431: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/08 00:37
Just put Ole, Carrick, Ruud and Fletcher together. Multi-head manager system.
