Manchester United could be turning back the clock again as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer emerges as the frontrunner to take temporary charge following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal, a move that has split opinion among fans and pundits alike.
According to Sky Sports, the club has held talks with both Solskjaer and Michael Carrick but is expected to appoint only one as interim boss. Sources suggest Solskjaer is now leading the race, while Darren Fletcher continues to oversee training in the short term.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy calls Solskjaer’s return “crazy”
Not everyone is convinced by the idea of a reunion. Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy told the Manchester Evening News that bringing Solskjaer back would be “crazy,” questioning the logic of rehiring someone who was previously sacked by the same club.
“Man United paid him to leave because he ultimately failed and now they’re going to pay him to come back? It seems ridiculous,” Murphy said. “When you’ve got options like Michael Carrick or even Roy Keane, bringing Solskjaer back is crazy.”
Stephen Warnock echoed that sentiment, suggesting that United’s board should wait until the summer when elite names like Thomas Tuchel or Carlo Ancelotti could become available.
He said: “I don’t understand the Solskjaer one, I don’t understand why you go back there.”
Solskjaer’s wage demands revealed
According to The Mirror, Solskjaer could earn between £50,000 and £60,000 per week if he accepts the interim position, with a potential £3–4 million bonus should he guide United back into the Champions League. The Norwegian is said to be open to returning, telling friends he would “jump at the chance” to take the reins again.
United currently sit two points outside the top four, and with Amorim’s exit leaving the club in limbo, the board sees Solskjaer as a steady hand who can reconnect with the dressing room. However, reports suggest Carrick remains an option if Solskjaer negotiations falter.
Gary Neville’s ‘Groundhog day’ Man Utd warning
Gary Neville, who played alongside Solskjaer for years, has voiced caution over the club’s repeated reliance on familiar faces.
Speaking via The Mirror, he said, “You almost go through cycles whereby, and United have done this for 12 years now. They put Ryan Giggs in charge, then Ole took charge and you go back to the old boys. Then you go for a new one, then you go for one more. It’s almost like a movie we’ve all seen before and Groundhog Day.”
Even so, Neville admitted he wouldn’t be against Solskjaer’s return if results follow. “They get the club, but they’re going to come under pressure if results don’t go their way. Whoever gets it, I wish them the best, it’s a tough role,” he added.
Supporters divided as nostalgia meets reality
Opinion among supporters remains mixed. Norwegian fan discussions suggest Solskjaer is viewed as “a stabiliser, not a long-term builder,” while others see his possible comeback as an emotional bridge between eras rather than a tactical solution.
Meanwhile, Darren Fletcher confirmed he will manage the upcoming FA Cup tie against Brighton before the board finalises its interim choice. He said: “I’ll be in charge for the Brighton game, and then we’ll take it from there. It’s one game at a time.”
Back to the future at Old Trafford?
United’s decision to consider Solskjaer again reflects the club’s constant pull between tradition and progress. After Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim both failed to impose lasting identities, INEOS faces a defining moment, choose the safe pair of hands who “gets the club” or take a risk on a new vision entirely.
Solskjaer’s previous tenure brought top-four finishes and fleeting optimism. Whether his return represents redemption or regression will depend on how quickly he can stabilise the club, and whether United finally stop reliving their own past.
Read More:
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