Manchester United’s managerial merry-go-round is spinning once again, and this time, it’s a story that’s got fans and pundits on the edge of their seats. With Ruben Amorim shown the door after a fiery fallout with the club’s hierarchy, the Red Devils are scrambling for stability—and the name at the center of the storm is none other than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Norwegian, a club legend both on the pitch and in the dugout, is in the frame for a sensational return as interim manager. Could Old Trafford be about to welcome back its “smiling assassin”?
Amorim’s exit was as dramatic as they come. The decision to part ways with the Portuguese coach was made before United’s 1-1 draw at Leeds United on January 4, 2026, but it was his post-match rant—targeting the board’s transfer policies and tactical meddling—that sealed his fate. The official club statement was diplomatic, thanking Amorim for his service and referencing the Europa League final appearance in Bilbao last May, but behind the scenes, tensions had clearly boiled over. As the Red Devils languish in sixth place in the Premier League, just four points ahead of 14th-placed Crystal Palace, the need for a steady hand has never been greater.
In the immediate aftermath, Darren Fletcher was handed the reins on an interim basis, tasked with steering United through their next clash against Burnley. But it’s clear Fletcher’s role is temporary. According to multiple reports, United’s leadership—spearheaded by director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada—are intent on appointing a caretaker manager for the remainder of the season, before making a permanent appointment next summer.
Enter Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The former striker, who famously netted the stoppage-time winner in the 1999 Champions League final, is reportedly meeting with United’s hierarchy—including Wilcox, Berrada, and other key figures—this week to discuss the possibility of returning as interim boss. Independent football journalist Marco Alcaraz reported, “Ole Gunnar Solskjær will meet Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrada and the Man Utd hierarchy TODAY to discuss becoming caretaker manager until the summer. OGS wants the role, and several key figures inside the club see him as the leading candidate.”
Solskjaer’s affection for United is no secret. Back in September 2024, during a Q&A at the Oslo Business Forum, he declared, “If the family [United] asks, I would say yes every day of the week. It feels wrong to talk about jobs that other people have now, but I would say yes, of course.” That loyalty is echoed by senior players in the dressing room, with Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire reportedly welcoming the prospect of Solskjaer’s return.
Solskjaer’s first spell as United manager began in December 2018, following the sacking of Jose Mourinho. Initially appointed as caretaker, he masterminded an 11-match unbeaten run—winning 14 of his first 19 games, including a famous Champions League comeback against Paris Saint-Germain. That run convinced the club to hand him the permanent job. Under his stewardship, United finished third and second in the Premier League, reached the 2021 Europa League final (losing on penalties to Villarreal), and made five semi-finals out of six in cup competitions. His overall win percentage as permanent manager was 53.3%, but as caretaker, it soared to a remarkable 73.7%.
Yet, football is a fickle business. A dire run of one win in seven league matches saw Solskjaer dismissed in November 2021, with the team sitting seventh. “The board and the owners have backed me in [terms of] bringing good people in, good players in and I think, or I know, I leave this club with a better squad. The environment is fantastic, it’s an environment I’m proud of leaving because you have to enjoy coming in here working,” Solskjaer said upon his exit. His signings included Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, and Bruno Fernandes—players who remain central to United’s current squad.
Since leaving Old Trafford, Solskjaer had a brief and turbulent stint at Besiktas, which ended in August 2025 after the Turkish side’s early exit from the Europa Conference League. Despite this setback, his stock at United remains high, thanks to his deep roots at the club and his reputation for restoring morale during turbulent times. As The Athletic put it, Solskjaer’s “unique standing within the club” makes him a natural choice for the caretaker role.
He’s not the only name in the mix, though. Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner is reportedly the leading candidate for the permanent job, but the Austrian was quick to brush off speculation: “I’m not allowed to bet, and I don’t look at it. I’m Crystal Palace manager, and I think it just makes no sense, and it’s wasting time for you to ask me any more questions, so I don’t talk about any other club than Crystal Palace.” Meanwhile, Michael Carrick—himself a former United midfielder and caretaker boss for three games in 2021—remains under consideration, as does Fletcher, who will have his chance to impress against Burnley. Jonny Evans, another Old Trafford alumnus, is reportedly set to join the interim coaching staff.
The stakes are high. United’s inconsistency this season means a top-four finish is still within reach, but only if the club can quickly rediscover its identity and momentum. The board’s decision to act now, rather than wait until the summer, signals both urgency and ambition. Fans, meanwhile, are divided—some yearn for the nostalgia and stability Solskjaer could bring, while others question whether a return to the past is the right move in a rapidly evolving Premier League landscape.
One thing’s for sure: Solskjaer’s possible comeback has reignited debate across the football world. His legacy as a player is secure, and his first managerial spell brought moments of hope and unity. Whether he can recapture that magic, even for a few short months, remains to be seen. As the Red Devils prepare for their clash with Burnley under Fletcher’s guidance, all eyes will be on the boardroom—and on Solskjaer himself—as the next chapter in Manchester United’s storied history unfolds.
For now, the Old Trafford faithful wait with bated breath. Will the club’s favorite son answer the call once more and steady the ship? The coming days promise answers—and, if nothing else, plenty of drama in the world’s most-watched league.
