Fletcher, Carrick or Solskjaer? - Who Should be Man United's Interim Until The End of the Season?

Fletcher, Carrick or Solskjaer? - Who Should be Man United's Interim Until The End of the Season?

After 13 months in charge and following a 1-1 draw away at Leeds, Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim was sacked as manager of Manchester United.

Following his dismissal, the Manchester United board have seemingly made the decision to wait until the end of the current season to appoint a new permanent coach, with an interim to be out in charge for the rest of the 25/26 season.

It appears to be a case of a three way race between three ex-Manchester United heroes to take the gig, but which should it be? Here is our take for each of the three former Old Trafford icons as to if they should take the job.

Darren Fletcher

Born in Scotland but a product of the Manchester United academy, midfielder Darren Fletcher made over 300 appearances for United in what stretched across a 20 year relationship between player and club.

Fletcher joined the United youth setup in 1995, and eight years later made his first appearance for the senior squad. Breaking into the first team system during the 2003/04 campaign which resulted in the young Scot starting in that year's FA Cup final victory over Millwall at Wembley.

The 2009-2010 season was Fletcher's finest in United red, as he cemented himself as a key figure in United's midfield, and also captained the club for the first time after being named as vice-captain, a position he held until 2014. Fletcher's impressive season was capped off by a place in the PFA Team Of The Year.

Darren Fletcher.

5️⃣ Premier League titles.
1️⃣ Champions League.
1️⃣ FA Cup.
4️⃣ Community Shields.
1️⃣ FIFA Club World Cup.

↳ Premier League. Live & On Demand with 4K on Football’s New Home, Stan Sport. Stream now.#StanSportAU #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/kKRLeMw2qd

— Stan Sport Football (@StanSportFC) January 6, 2026

Since retiring, Fletcher has been a key figure back at United behind the scenes, working in multiple roles. Originally working as the manager of the club's Under 16's side, before being appointed as technical director in 2021 before Jason Wilcox in April 2024, and then the coach of the Under 18's.

Following Amorim's sacking, Fletcher was named as the first team interim for the next match away at Burnley, which finished as a 2-2 draw at Turf Moor. Striker Benjamin Sesko scored a brace for United, making sure Fletcher earned a point.

Despite being given the chance against Burnley, Fletcher has not been confirmed to be the man in the dugout until the end of the season.

Darren Fletcher's interim Manager suits you. pic.twitter.com/R40xIl5Jy4

— General Outburst (@Witterbird_84) January 7, 2026

Whilst Fletcher has close ties to Manchester United, having been involved at the club for over 20 years, and has experience coaching at youth level. Fletcher lacks key experience at managing senior sides at the highest level, with United perhaps needing someone more in tune with managing in the Premier League as United look to get back into European football this season following on from a dismal season last time out in 24/25.

Michael Carrick

Another former Manchester United midfielder, Michael Carrick may not have been a product of the club's famed youth setup like Fletcher, but his connection with the Red Devils spans just as long.

Joining United from Tottenham Hotspur in 2006, Carrick went on to spend the rest of his playing career at Old Trafford. Staying 12 years in a spell which saw over 450 appearances and a decorated trophy cabinet. Winning five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, One UEFA Champions League, One UEFA Europa League and three League Cups.

Carrick eventually became captain of Manchester United following the departure of Wayne Rooney in 2017, however Carrick retired from playing at the end of the season, making his 464th and final appearance for the club in the last match of the 2017/18 campaign.

Following on from retirement, Carrick stayed at United, becoming part of Jose Mourinho's coaching staff. When Mourinho was sacked, Carrick was briefly named caretaker boss at Old Trafford prior to the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, where the Norwegian chose to retain Carrick as part of his own coaching staff.

Carrick was again made caretaker at United for a short period when Solksjaer was sacked in 2021, taking charge of of a UEFA Champions League tie vs Villarreal and a Premier League match vs Arsenal.

In 2022, Carrick became a permanent manager for the first time, being appointed the manager of Championship side Middlesbrough on 24th October. Despite being 21st at the time of his appointment, Carrick had a strong start to his time on Teeside, winning 16 of his first 24 matches and guiding Boro to a 4th place finish and into the playoffs. However, Boro lost to Coventry in the semi-finals.

However, a 10th place finish for Middlesbrough in the 2024/25 season was deemed not good enough by the club's board, and Carrick was dismissed from his role after nearly three years in the North-East.

There's little doubt that Carrick would make a solid choice for United's interim, the former midfielder has experience coaching and managing in the top two divisions in England, and despite his eventual sacking did a good job with Middlesbrough initially. As well as having past experience as an interim coach at United, experience that will be key with the current squad at Old Trafford.

As much as I love Ole, I just think that the interim has to be Michael Carrick. pic.twitter.com/RgwiyRCHcs

— Irvin 🇾🇪 (@MUFCIrvin) January 6, 2026

**Ole Gunnar Solskjaer **

The man who if reports are to be believed is the current favourite to be given the interim position until the end of the season at Old Trafford, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows what's it like to be in the Manchester United hot seat.

The former striker was appointed as manager of United in March 2019 after winning 14 of his first 19 matches as caretaker following the sacking of Jose Mourinho, and held the role for three years. However, was sacked in 2021 following a poor run of results, including a 4-1 defeat away at Watford which sealed Solskjaer's fate.

The Norwegian's time as manager at United followed managment spells at Cardiff and in Norway with Molde. Following retirement, Solskjaer earned his first role as a permanent manager of Molde, who he played for prior to signing for United in 1996.

Solskjaer won back-to-back titles with Molde, success that resulted in the former striker getting a chance to manage in the Premier League with Cardiff City in the 2013-14 season. However, Solskjaer was unable to keep the Bluebirds in the division and was relegated to the Championship, and was eventually sacked early on in the following season following a poor start.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær is trending for a reason.

Years later, people are finally admitting it:
He wasn’t the problem.
He stabilized chaos, trusted youth, beat Pep & Klopp repeatedly, and left the club better than he found it.

History is being kinder than Twitter ever was. 👀🔴 pic.twitter.com/fVAJSF5QYj

— Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze (@DrAnakwenze) January 6, 2026

Three years after being sacked by Manchester United, Solskjaer became manager of Besiktas in Turkey, however was sacked in August after being eliminated from the UEFA Conference League playoffs.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed United have held talks with Solksjaer over a return to manage the club as interim for the remander of the current season. However, despite his experience as manager of the club previously it would represent a risk, however could also be a positive due to the previous familiarity some of the current squad would have with certain players still at the club who played under Solskjaer during his previous time at Old Trafford.

Whoever United choose, it wiill be a key decision and a tough job for whoever takes it. With United sitting in 7th in the Premier League and fans growing inpatient after many years away from the top, it will be a tough job to take the current squad back near the top of the Premier League table.