Solskjaer vs Carrick: INEOS deliver shock twist in the hunt for Amorim’s replacement – report

Manchester United are reportedly edging closer to appointing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as caretaker until the end of the season, but there could be a twist in the tale regarding who will be supporting him in the dugout. Interim for Amorim Old Trafford is still reeling from INEOS’s decision to sack Ruben Amorim at the beginning of this week. Despite 14 months of steadfast support, United’s hierarchy turned on the Portuguese coach after an explosive bust-up with sporting director Jason Wilcox over tactics. There are conflicting reports over who sparked the clash, with insiders describing Wilcox as “out of order“, while, conversely, United sources insist it was Amorim’s emotional reaction which lit the match. There was no doubt, however, over INEOS’s response, with Amorim, along with his entire coaching staff, handed their marching orders on Monday morning. Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher has taken charge of the senior side this week in Amorim’s absence, leading United to a 2-2 draw with Burnley in the Premier League on Wednesday night and the disappointing FA Cup defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion this evening.  There had been some suggestions Fletcher would be handed the interim job on a permanent basis until the end of the season, as the 41-year-old Scot had impressed the club’s hierarchy. These unimpressive results, however, will have ruled him out of the running.  Instead, United are “closing in on naming” Solskjaer as caretaker, after INEOS approached him, Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy over the role, GIVEMESPORT reveals. The ‘Baby Faced Assassin’ has quickly emerged as the favoured candidate, owing to his experience as full-time manager previously. Carrick was understood to feature highly on the list as well, with Van Nistelrooy a distant third. Initially, it was understood United viewed Solskjaer and Carrick—who have previously worked together at Old Trafford—as “two No 1s”, meaning they were only under consideration for the head coach role, not as an assistant. This made sense given Carrick had left that position with the Red Devils to become manager of Middlesbrough, where he was in charge for nearly three years. A return in that capacity could represent a backward step in his fledgling coaching career. TeamFromToGWDLWin % Manchester United (caretaker)21 November 20212 December 2021321066.67 Middlesbrough24 October 20224 June 202513663244946.32 Career Total——13965254946.76 Carrick Open to a Reunion GIVEMESPORT reveals the former midfielder is “open” to joining Solskjaer’s coaching staff should INEOS opt for the Norwegian over him. The report states the club plans to have a “caretaker successor for Amorim in place before next weekend’s huge Manchester Derby with City at Old Trafford.” As explained by The Peoples Person here, one of the key concerns INEOS have over Solskjaer – and a reason for the delay in his appointment – is the “make-up” of his support staff, given the 52-year-old is seen as more of a manager than a coach. “According to sources, one of the issues around potentially appointing Solskjaer until the end of the season is the make-up of his backroom staff. “In the job between December 2018 and November 2021, he took on the role as manager rather than coach and was supported on the training ground by Carrick, Mike Phelan and Kieran McKenna.” If Carrick is now willing to step back into his previous role, working in tandem with Solskjaer, this would explain why INEOS are now ready to accelerate the latter’s appointment, as they are content with the former providing support at Carrington. Whichever club legend is placed in the hot seat, tonight’s exit from the FA Cup shows they have a mountain of a job on their hands between now and the end of the season. The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.