“Sources say Manchester United is in talks with Solskjær and Carrick over a temporary role.”

Manchester United have reportedly held preliminary, informal discussions with a number of potential interim managers in the wake of Ruben Amorim’s dismissal on Monday, sources have told ESPN. Among those under consideration are former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and ex-assistant Michael Carrick, with the club keen to appoint an experienced caretaker to steer the side until the end of the season.

Sources indicate that Ruud van Nistelrooy, who briefly managed United on an interim basis for four games last season following Erik ten Hag’s departure and prior to Amorim’s arrival, is also being evaluated. Former captain Wayne Rooney, however, has not been approached as part of the process.

Face-to-face meetings with shortlisted candidates, including Solskjaer and Carrick, are reportedly planned in the coming days. The discussions are said to be at an exploratory stage, designed primarily to gauge interest and availability, with a number of options still on the table.

United, in search of their seventh permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in May 2013, have temporarily placed under-18 coach Darren Fletcher in charge for Wednesday’s Premier League fixture against Burnley and Sunday’s FA Cup third-round clash at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.

However, the hierarchy appears to favour appointing a seasoned interim manager for the remainder of the season, with a permanent managerial decision expected during the summer. CEO Omar Berrada and Director of Football Jason Wilcox are reportedly leading the discussions with potential candidates.

Solskjaer, sacked in November 2021 after a three-year spell in charge, has been out of employment since his dismissal by Turkish side Besiktas in August. The former striker, who enjoyed tremendous popularity among fans, is understood to have engaged in preliminary talks with the club.

Carrick, who oversaw an unbeaten three-game interim stint following Solskjaer’s exit in 2021, is also available after leaving Middlesbrough last summer, where he managed the EFL Championship side for almost three years.

The process underlines United’s careful approach, as sources stress that the club is weighing a variety of interim options before committing to a permanent managerial appointment in the summer.

With Manchester United at a crossroads following Amorim’s 14-month tenure, the club appears intent on securing a stabilising figure to navigate the remainder of the campaign.