Major Roadblock Emerges as Man Utd Push to Bring Back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United are still deliberating over their managerial choice for the remainder of the current campaign after Ruben Amorim's departure last week, though a complication has emerged regarding Ole Gunnar Solskjær's potential coaching setup.

Darren Fletcher has taken temporary charge through Sunday's FA Cup clash with Brighton & Hove Albion, after already managing a midweek Premier League stalemate against Burnley.

The Scottish coach, who officially oversees the club's U18 squad, is reportedly being considered for a more structured interim role until summer, when United will make their permanent managerial decision. However, Solskjær remains a candidate, alongside former United skipper Michael Carrick and even Ruud van Nistelrooy, who briefly managed the team before Amorim's arrival in 2024.

ESPN reports that Fletcher has made a positive impression on club leadership, while Van Nistelrooy apparently views himself as less likely to be selected. Among external options, Carrick was the first to conduct an in-person discussion with senior officials, with Solskjær having his meeting on Saturday. Van Nistelrooy has yet to meet.

However, questions remain about who would comprise Solskjær's coaching support structure. The Norwegian's previous backroom team included Mike Phelan, Kieran McKenna and the previously mentioned Carrick. He inherited McKenna and Carrick while bringing back Phelan. McKenna now manages independently, and it's uncertain whether Carrick would accept another assistant position.

Solskjær's Coaching Staff an Obstacle

Ruben Amorim's coaching staff was dismissed alongside him and will probably accompany the Portuguese manager to his next position—coaches typically maintain loyal staff members across multiple appointments.

However, Solskjær doesn't maintain the same continuity with assistant coaches since a brief stint at Beşiktaş has been his sole managerial role since departing Old Trafford in 2021. In Turkey, he worked again with Erling Moe, his former assistant at Molde from eight years earlier. Moe didn't accompany Solskjær to Manchester in 2018, instead taking over as head coach with the Norwegian club. Therefore, it's unclear who he would prefer, or who is accessible, to join his staff this time around.

Fletcher is presently working with a temporary team drawn from United's youth divisions, with U21s coaches Travis Binnion and Alan Wright providing assistance, along with Jonny Evans.