In a dramatic twist at Old Trafford, Manchester United are in advanced discussions to bring former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back to the club on an interim basis. This move comes just days after the sacking of Ruben Amorim and represents a complete U-turn in Solskjaer's own career plans.
United's Sudden Call Changes Everything
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, 52, had been content to continue his break from football management until the call from his former club arrived. According to reports, the Norwegian legend told a confidant just last week that he had no imminent intention of returning to the dugout. However, United's urgent search for a temporary leader following Amorim's dismissal on Monday has altered the landscape entirely.
Solskjaer has emerged as the leading contender to take the reins until the end of the season. The club's hierarchy reportedly wants to wait until the summer to appoint a permanent successor, mirroring the situation in December 2018 when Solskjaer first arrived as a caretaker before landing the job full-time.
Meetings Held and a Potential Dream Team
Discussions have moved quickly. Solskjaer met with the club's top brass on Tuesday, the same day Darren Fletcher was placed in temporary charge for the midweek trip to Burnley. Furthermore, fellow club icon Michael Carrick, who served as Solskjaer's assistant throughout his previous tenure, has also held talks.
This has led to speculation that the pair could reunite at Old Trafford. They worked together for the entirety of Solskjaer's three-year reign, which began with that famous interim spell and ended in November 2021. The potential for this familiar partnership is a key part of the current negotiations.
Solskjaer's Journey Since Old Trafford
The former United striker, who made 366 appearances for the club, had been away from management after his departure until taking the Besiktas job in January 2025. That stint in Turkey was short-lived, ending last August after the club failed to qualify for the Conference League. They lost a playoff to Lausanne-Sport, a club coincidentally owned by United's co-owners, INEOS.
Following that dismissal, Solskjaer settled back into life in Cheshire with his wife, Silje, while their children remain in Norway. He had taken on a role as a technical observer for UEFA and seemed set for a prolonged period away from the intense pressures of club management.
Solskjaer's previous record as United boss shows why the club is tempted. His initial interim period saw the team win 14 of 17 games, sparking incredible momentum. He subsequently secured finishes of sixth, third, and second in the Premier League before a poor start to the 2021-22 season led to his departure.
The Norwegian has never hidden his affection for the club. Back in 2014, he stated in a Q&A: "If the family [United] asks, I would say yes every day of the week." It appears that philosophy still holds true, as the prospect of returning to the United hot seat has proven too compelling to refuse, forcing him to scrap his management sabbatical entirely.
