Man Utd to decide next manager TODAY as new favourite emerges for interim job - The Mirror

Manchester United could appoint their interim manager as soon as today after sacking Ruben Amorim, with the club having met with Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United could announce a new interim head coach as early as today, with Michael Carrick now emerging as the leading contender for the role, ahead of previous favourite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Ruben Amorim was dismissed from his duties at Old Trafford just last week, and ex-United midfielder Darren Fletcher has been in charge for the recent matches against Burnley and Brighton.

The club's top brass, including director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrarda, have held meetings with both Carrick and Solskjaer before reaching their decision. Former Middlesbrough manager Carrick had talks on Thursday, while Solskjaer met with the pair over the weekend at Carrington, according to The Guardian.

There is a desire to appoint an interim boss swiftly enough to allow ample time for preparation for the Manchester derby. United are set to host Manchester City at Old Trafford in the Premier League this coming Saturday (12.30pm).

If Carrick is indeed appointed, he may face a challenging task in boosting a squad that has already been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions and can now only secure a place in Europe through league performance. Fletcher painted a bleak picture for the incoming manager.

"You can see that the players are fragile and they need to build themselves up because it's up to them now – they have got to respond," Fletcher said following 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 deep – and you have to battle, grind, fight, work, win games – and then the confidence comes back."

Fletcher admitted he's clueless about what lies ahead. The Scottish coach has a meeting scheduled at Carrington on Monday morning.

"I've had zero indication, and because all my energy and focus and concentration has had to be on these two games, in such a quick turnaround, and preparing the team, a three-game week, you know, everything that I said," he remarked.

"So, I genuinely mean that. It's a massive responsibility to lead this club, and I've gave it my best and ultimately I'm disappointed to not be able to win a game or to get a result today.

"But I feel like there were some good things in there. We created a lot of chances, shots, things like that. But, ultimately, it wasn't enough.

"So I am more disappointed than anybody, really, because I care for the club and I want the club to do well and I want the players to do well.

"And genuinely mean that, it's not about me. I've had my time as a player, it's in the bank now, it's done. Loved every minute of it, was very lucky. It's all about them. But we need to help them, the club need to help them, and they're going to need to help themselves."

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