Manchester United could appoint a new caretaker manager as early as today, with Michael Carrick emerging as the frontrunner ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Ruben Amorim was relieved of his role at Old Trafford last week and former United midfielder Darren Fletcher was appointed manager for games against Burnley and Brighton.
Executives at the club, including director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Beralda, met with both Carrick and Solskjaer before a final decision was reached. According to the Guardian, former Middlesbrough boss Carrick held talks on Thursday and Solskjaer met with both men at Carrington over the weekend. There is a desire for the appointment to be completed quickly to give the caretaker manager sufficient time to prepare for the Manchester derby. This Saturday (12:30pm), United host Manchester City at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
If Carrick were to qualify, they would face the difficult task of rebuilding a team that has already been eliminated from domestic cup competitions and whose European qualification depends solely on their league results.
Fletcher gave a harsh assessment of the situation that awaits the next manager. “You can see the players are fragile and they need to strengthen themselves. It’s up to them now. They have to respond,” the manager said after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup third round at Old Trafford.
“Confidence is one of the most powerful things in football. When you don’t have confidence, you have to dig deeper. Then you have to fight, try, fight, work and win the game. Then the confidence will come back.”
Fletcher insisted he remains in the dark about his next steps. The Scottish manager is due to meet in Carrington on Monday morning.
“Because there was no forewarning and all my energy and focus had to go into these two games. Such a quick development and preparation of the team, a three-game week, everything I said,” he said.
“So, that’s what I think wholeheartedly. It’s a big responsibility to lead this club and I’ve given it my all, but ultimately I’m disappointed that we couldn’t win the game today or get the result.”
“But I think there were some good ones there. We created a lot of chances, shots and things like that. But at the end of the day, it wasn’t enough.”
“So I’m really disappointed as much as anyone, because I care about the club and I want the club to be successful and the players to be successful.
“And what I really want to say is, it’s not my problem. I’ve had my time as a player and now I have the money and it’s over. I loved every moment of it and I’ve been very lucky. It’s all about them. But we need to help them, the club needs to help them, and they will need to help themselves.”
