Club are close to interim appointment, with Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer neck and neck
Darren Fletcher has been asked to take charge of Manchester United for the FA Cup game against Brighton on Sunday, after which an interim manager will take over.
The former United midfielder was in the dugout for the 1-1 draw against Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday, which saw the team revert to a 4-2-3-1 shape and striker Benjamin Sesko break his scoring drought with a delightful brace.
United have spoken to candidates for an interim appointment till the summer, when they are looking to appoint a permanent head coach. Former interim coach and then permanent manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is currently leading the race for a shock return to Old Trafford, but Michael Carrick, who managed the club briefly after Solskjaer was sacked in 2021, is reportedly a serious target as well.
“They’ve [the executive] informed me they’d like me to take the team for Sunday,” said Fletcher. “There was a feeling that might have been the case from Monday but we wanted to focus on Burnley. But yeah, I’m tasked with leading the team on Sunday, so all my focus and energy goes to that now.”
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are said to be preparing a meeting to interview both Carrick and Solskjaer face to face. The possibility of the two working together in some capacity has not been completely ruled out.
Regarding the disappointing draw to Burnley, Fletcher said: “[The team] put in a performance that should win the match. We created a lot of chances, 30 shots, goal-line clearance, a disallowed goal [of which] I am not sure why. If you look at that in those terms, we should win the match.
“It wasn’t perfect. We started slow. We scored two fantastic goals. Still lots to work on but I was really pleased with their efforts. It was up to them to be proactive, exciting and they did that. It wasn’t perfect but there were lots of good things within that.”
