Manchester United are accelerating plans to appoint an interim head coach before this weekend's FA Cup clash with Brighton, following the sudden sacking of Ruben Amorim earlier this week. The club's immediate focus is on securing leadership for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, with former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer emerging as the leading candidate.
No Rashford Return as Barcelona Move Becomes Permanent
One major squad decision appears to be set in stone, regardless of who takes the managerial reins. Marcus Rashford is not expected to pull on a Manchester United shirt again. The England international was one of four high-profile players—alongside Jadon Sancho, Andre Onana, and Rasmus Hojlund—allowed to leave on loan last summer after falling out of favour with Amorim.
Despite the managerial change, reports indicate the loan departures were sanctioned by club hierarchy above Amorim, and no U-turn is planned. Rashford, who moved to Barcelona, has contributed seven goals and eight assists this season. The Spanish giants hold a £30 million option to make the move permanent this summer, an option they are fully anticipated to exercise, effectively ending Rashford's second stint at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer's Interim Role and Long-Term Ambition
The search for a temporary boss has narrowed, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now the clear favourite to take charge until the end of the campaign. The Norwegian legend, who was dismissed in 2021, has held discussions with the club alongside other former United figures Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
United's stated plan is to install an interim coach now and pursue a permanent appointment in the summer. However, it is understood that Solskjaer harbours ambitions of securing the job on a full-time basis if his second spell proves successful. He has previous experience in a caretaker role, having taken over from Jose Mourinho in December 2018. In that 19-game stint, he won 14 matches, reignited a top-four push, and masterminded a famous UEFA Champions League comeback against Paris Saint-Germain.
Transfer Strategy in Flux
The managerial uncertainty throws the club's January transfer plans into doubt. United invested over £200 million last summer to bolster Amorim's squad, but with a new interim coach arriving, any potential targets for this month will need reassessment. The club's recruitment team now faces the challenge of aligning short-term needs with the unknown long-term vision of a future permanent manager.
All eyes will be on the club's announcement ahead of the weekend, as United seek stability during a turbulent period. The appointment of an interim manager, potentially Solskjaer, is the first critical step in navigating the rest of a challenging season.
