Director of football Jason Wilcox and other high-profile figures are divided as to the suitable man for the role
Manchester United are experiencing internal disagreement over who should be the club’s interim coach until the end of the season.
Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had interviews last week as the club conducted an internal process to decide who would take over the reins from current caretaker Darren Fletcher.
It was initially thought that Solskjaer had the edge by virtue of having more experience than Carrick. Solskjaer managed United for three years, from December 2018 to November 2021, in addition to spells at Molde and Besiktas. Carrick, on the other hand, was United’s caretaker for just three games in 2021, before spending three years at Championship side Middlesbrough.
It has recently emerged, however, that Carrick is leading the race to occupy the hot seat. This is because United’s director of football Jason Wilcox prefers Carrick to Solskjaer, according to people familiar with the club’s process. It is understood that at least two high-profile figures at the club feel that Solskjaer should be handed the role due to his greater experience, and that this has led to an internal power struggle.
United hope to finalise the appointment over the next 48 hours in order to give whoever is appointed maximum time to prepare for the Manchester derby, coming up next Saturday.
