Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has opened the door to a potential return as Manchester United manager, as Michael Carrick faces the threat of dismissal amid the team’s ongoing slump in results.
The Norwegian manager’s comments to TV 2 have raised the possibility of a return to Old Trafford, having previously been contacted by the club’s hierarchy to succeed Ruben Amorim before they ultimately chose Carrick last January.
Pressure has mounted on the current manager following a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, extending United’s winless streak to nine matches across all competitions, which also included heavy losses against Como and Bournemouth.
Speaking about a potential return, Solskjaer said: “I feel like I have unfinished business. And of course, it would be great to get the opportunity again.”
The Norwegian revealed he was ready to take charge on an interim basis until the end of last season, denying that he demanded a long-term contract or made financial requirements to the board. He explained that his discussions with Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada were limited to presenting his ideas without entering formal negotiations.
Addressing the competition with Carrick for the role at the time, he said: “When I talked to United, I spoke highly of Michael as well. I told them: ‘If you choose him, you’ll get a good man,’ and I think he did the same for me.”
He affirmed his support for his former teammate, stating: “Michael has what it takes to push this club forward. I believe he is the right man. He understands the club and the fans, and he knows what it requires.”
When asked how he would respond to a fresh call from United, Solskjaer presented a hypothetical scenario in which Carrick succeeds for ten years before leaving, adding: “If they asked me to take the team for two months, of course I wouldn’t say no.”
According to The Standard, United’s hierarchy is inclined to keep Carrick in charge for the upcoming fixtures against Roma and Aston Villa until the November international break, granting him a final opportunity to save his position, while Solskjaer remains open to helping the club if called upon in the future.
