Michael Carrick has edged closer to Ole Gunnar Solskjær in the bid to become Manchester United interim manager, though the Norwegian is still the slight favourite, the Guardian understands.
Omar Berrada, the chief executive, and Jason Wilcox, the director of football, will not make an appointment until interviewing both men face-to-face. With the current interim, Darren Fletcher, leading United to a 2-2 draw at Burnleyon Wednesday, the interviews are expected to take place on Thursday and possibly Friday, if required.
After the draw at Turf Moor, Fletcher said he will be in charge again for the FA Cup tie against Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Scot said: “They’ve [the executive] informed me they’d like me to take the team for Sunday. There was a feeling that might have been the case from Monday [when Ruben Amorim was sacked], but we wanted to focus on Burnley. But yeah, I’m tasked with leading the team on Sunday, so all my focus and energy goes to that now.”
If Berrada and Wilcox decide to appoint Solskjær and he becomes the caretaker manager for a second time, following his spell of December 2018 to March 2019, it is thought Carrick would consider being his assistant.
The 44-year-old has previously been an assistant to Solskjær, when the Norwegian became the United No 1 in late March 2019, following his temporary position. After Solskjær’s sacking in late November 2021, Carrick led the team for three matches, winning two and drawing one.
Of United’s display at Burnley, Fletcher said: “They put in a performance that should win the match, We created a lot of chances, 30 shots, goal-line clearance, a disallowed goal [of which] I am not sure why. If you look at that in those terms, we should win the match.
“It wasn’t perfect, we started slow. We scored two fantastic goals. Still lots to work on but I was really pleased with their efforts. It was up to them to be proactive, exciting and they did that. It wasn’t perfect but there were lots of good things within that.”
