Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed Michael Carrick as the right man to lead Manchester United, but has admitted he would be open to a return to the club, where he feels he has "something unresolved".
United's 2-0 defeat by Chelsea on Saturday left Carrick with a nine-match winless streak, the club's worst run since 1988. The team sits 17th in the Premier League, just outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
Carrick's Precarious Position
Carrick kept his job following crisis talks with United chiefs at the start of the week, and the 45-year-old is expected to be given the next two matches. With fixtures against Roma and Aston Villa before the international break, his future remains precarious.
Carrick first arrived as interim boss in January following the sacking of Ruben Amorim. During that process, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox reached out to Solskjaer, who managed the club from 2018 to 2021, as another option.
Solskjaer's Endorsement
The Norwegian, who had Carrick as his assistant during his tenure, is sure United made the right decision to overlook him. "Michael has what it takes to take that club forward," Solskjaer told Norwegian outlet TV2. "I think he's the right man. He understands the club, understands the fans and knows what's needed."
Solskjaer's backing is hardly surprising given his close friendship with the former midfielder. Carrick recently revealed he is in regular contact with Solskjaer and Sir Alex Ferguson as he navigates the current malaise.
Unfinished Business
Despite supporting Carrick, Solskjaer admits he misses managing United and was open to re-joining as interim boss in January. "Going back to what has been is not always as good," he said. "Yes, I was lined up, but I didn't think it would last longer than the summer. It was probably time for someone else to try. I also feel like I have something unresolved. Of course it would have been nice to have the opportunity again."
Solskjaer is magnanimous after losing out to Carrick, who subsequently led United to third place in the Premier League, securing a return to the Champions League and the job on a permanent basis. He added: "When I spoke to United, I also boasted about Michael. 'If you choose him, you will get a good man,' I said. I think he did the same to me. None of us were desperate to get the job. We'd probably be up for the job if they asked. At the time, there was talk of being an interim coach for the rest of the season."
While he is firm about his love of the club he represented as a player and manager, Solskjaer did concede that "some of the same problems are still there" from his time in charge. But he is unwilling to spell them out. "No, you see… Those who watch the team see it," he said when asked what the problems are. "Those who work behind the scenes know what the challenges are there."
The possibility of a return is something he is keen to keep on the cards. "If Michael does well for 10 years and decides to quit, and they ask me if I can take them for two months, of course I wouldn't say no," he said. "I've been at that club for 18-19 years, so it's part of the family. But it's not something I'm thinking about."
