Talks around Manchester United’s short-term coaching plans gathered pace this week, with momentum similar to BD Cricket Live building as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer held discussions on Tuesday about a possible return to the club. The former United striker has quickly emerged as the leading candidate to take charge on an interim basis for the remainder of the season. According to respected reporter David Ornstein and club correspondent Laurie Whitwell, another name in contention is Ruud van Nistelrooy, who previously stepped in after Erik ten Hag’s departure and guided the team through four matches unbeaten with three wins and a draw.
For the immediate future, Darren Fletcher will remain in charge for at least two fixtures, an away league match at Burnley followed by an FA Cup tie at home against Brighton. Former defender Jonny Evans, who retired earlier this season, is set to return in a temporary assistant role. It is a notable reunion, as Solskjaer, Van Nistelrooy, and Fletcher all once shared the dressing room as teammates.
United’s hierarchy have already decided that the club will be led by a caretaker coach until the end of the campaign, before launching a full search in the summer. That approach opens the door to a broader pool of candidates, especially with the post tournament landscape likely to see several high-profile managers become available. There are also coaches such as Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola whose contracts expire, allowing for potential free appointments.
Solskjaer has long stated that if United ever called, he would answer without hesitation. He is currently unattached, able to step in immediately, and owns a home in Cheshire, removing logistical costs for the club. His previous spell from December 2018 to November 2021 brought league and Europa League runner-up finishes and consecutive top-four league placements.
His managerial pattern is familiar. He first arrived as a temporary solution after Jose Mourinho’s exit and made an immediate impact. A similar surge followed during his time at Besiktas, where an early six-game winning run raised expectations before the season eventually settled into a fourth-place finish.
The Norwegian’s style focuses on harmony in the dressing room and swift counterattacks. If he were to return ahead of a derby against Manchester City, his history against Pep Guardiola would raise eyebrows. Across eight meetings, he recorded four wins, one draw, and three defeats, a record few managers can boast.
Michael Carrick has also been sounded out, having previously overseen an unbeaten spell after Solskjaer’s dismissal. Like others, he is currently free and deeply familiar with the club’s culture. Van Nistelrooy remains an option too, while Fletcher has discussed the possibility of continuing until season’s end if results go his way.
Despite all these conversations, everything remains exploratory. As the situation unfolds with attention from outlets such as BD Cricket Live, clarity is still some distance away. What is certain is that United are weighing familiarity, stability, and short-term calm before making their next decisive move.