Manchester United schedules meetings with Solskjaer and Carrick after Amorim’s dismissal By Thiago Lemos
4 min read
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Manchester United announced the resignation of Ruben Amorim this Monday, January 5, 2026, after 14 months in charge of the team. The decision came one day after the 1-1 draw with Leeds United by Premier League, in a match held the previous Sunday. The club occupies sixth place in the table and is looking for an experienced interim coach until the end of the season.
Darren Fletcher, current coach of the under-18 team, will take temporary charge in the next games. Ele will lead the team in the match against Burnley, this Wednesday, for Premier League, and in the match against Brighton, on Sunday, for the third round of Copa for Inglaterra. The board, led by CEO Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox, began preliminary contacts to define a more lasting interim.
🚨 Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Manchester United advance in positive conversations over caretaker manager role.
—Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano)January 6, 2026
As revealed yesterday, Ole wants the job and he’s a serious candidate with talks well underway.
No issues on contract length. Ole is ready to say YES.
Up to#MUFC. pic.twitter.com/jjsJQgbf8i
Candidates with experience at the club
Manchester United held informal conversations with former players and coaches linked to the club. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who led the team between 2018 and 2021, is one of the names evaluated. Ele has been unemployed since leaving Besiktas, last August, and has held initial dialogues with management.
Michael Carrick, who served as interim undefeated in three games following the dismissal of Carrick is available after leaving Middlesbrough and represents a familiar option for the current roster. Reuniões face-to-face sessions with these candidates are scheduled for the next few days.
- Solskjaer recorded a 54% win rate in 168 games for United.
- Carrick racked up two wins and a draw in his interim spell.
- Both are well aware of the club’s structure and the main squad.
Valuation of Van Nistelrooy
Ruud van Nistelrooy emerges as another strong possibility for the interim role. Ele already led the team in four games last season, between the dismissal of Erik ten Hag and the arrival of Amorim. Van Nistelrooy obtained positive results in this brief period and remains linked to the club as an internal option.
The board evaluates the interest and availability of these names before making a final decision. Wayne Rooney, former captain and idol, has not been contacted so far. The focus is to maintain stability until a permanent signing in the summer.
Post-Ferguson history
This search marks the seventh permanent coach since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in May 2013. United has gone through David Moyes, The instability at the helm reflects the challenges faced by the club in the post-Ferguson era.
Amorim arrived in November 2024 with high expectations, after titles in Sporting. Ele took the team to the Liga Europa final in 2025, but the results at Premier League didn’t match up, with a win rate of around 38%. Conflitos insiders on tactics and transfers contributed to the departure.
Next steps for the board
The evaluation process includes multiple options to avoid hasty decisions. Berrada and Wilcox prioritize an interim who knows the Old Trafford environment and can immediately motivate the cast. The club plans a comprehensive search for a permanent coach at the end of the season.
Important games are approaching, and the choice of interim will influence performance until May. United competes for European positions and advances to Copa from Inglaterra.
Interim options considered
Several former players emerge as viable candidates for the transition period.
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer offers proven experience in the main command.
- Michael Carrick demonstrated his ability to pass short and unbeaten.
- Ruud van Nistelrooy has recently served as interim with good results.
- Darren Fletcher gains initial time to prove his worth in the next duels.
This approach reflects the preference for known figures during the unstable phase.
Context of the dismissal
Amorim’s departure followed public tensions over recruiting and playing style. The draw with Leeds was his last game, followed by statements that indicated differences with the board. The club opted for the change to maximize its chances of a good final place in the league.
Amorim implemented a 3-4-3 formation in most matches, but faced criticism for tactical rigidity. Unexpected Derrotas, as in Copa of Liga, marked his period.
Preparing for the future
The board signals patience for the definitive hiring, scheduled for the summer of 2026. Nomes as well as Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola are circulating as permanent possibilities. For now, the focus remains on the interim solution to stabilize the team.
Manchester United continues in transition, seeking to regain the prominence lost since 2013. The choice of the next interim will be crucial for the remainder of the campaign.
