Manchester United are keen on appointing a former star as a replacement for Ruben Amorim with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy among the contenders
Manchester United are looking to the past for a future managerial appointment. The Red Devils are on the hunt for a new face in the dugout following the sacking of Ruben Amorim and it could be a familiar one.
The Portuguese coach was dismissed earlier this week following a disappointing 14 months in charge. While club chiefs will be on the lookout for a permanent replacement, an interim appointment appears to be the most likely course of action.
And a number of former United stars have emerged as contenders to claim the role. According to numerous reports, former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a frontrunner to claim the role after early talks and has been spotted in Cheshire.
Darren Fletcher, who has been handed the caretaker position, is another option, while ex-teammate Michael Carrick could also be parachuted in. Ruud van Nistelrooy is another name to have been mentioned, having fulfilled the same role to success last term.
But is that always the way when United opt for an interim manager? Take a look at some of the Red Devils’ most recent returning faces and how they got on after claiming a spot in the Old Trafford hotseat:
READ MORE: Man Utd timeline to appoint Ruben Amorim replacement as talks underway with ‘several’ candidatesREAD MORE: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spotted in Cheshire as Man Utd close in on Ruben Amorim replacement
Ryan Giggs (22 Apr 2014-23 May 2014)
W2, D1, L1
Replacing Sir Alex Ferguson was always going to be a lofty task for United. And David Moyes was only given a short period in which to do that after being personally headhunted by the legendary Scottish manager.
He was sacked midway through his first season and was replaced by club legend Ryan Giggs. The Welshman turned to a host of youth players towards the end of the season and rounded off his stint in charge with a number of positive results.
He beat Norwich 4-0 in his opening game, before slipping to a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland. United saw off Hull City 3-1, before Giggs’ temporary spell concluded with a 1-1 draw against Southampton.
Giggs was confirmed as assistant boss to the incoming Louis van Gaal, while he then departed the club with the arrival of Jose Mourinho.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (19 Dec 2018-21 Nov 2021)
W91, D37, L40
On the topic of the Portuguese, he was actually replaced by another interim option. It was certainly a surprise to see Solskjaer handed the reins at Old Trafford following a dismal spell with Cardiff City.
But it was an inspired decision from United, with Solskjaer winning 14 of his 19 matches as interim manager – a run of form that saw him handed the job on a full-term basis. Highlights from his caretaker spell included a 5-1 win against Cardiff on his debut, as well as a memorable Champions League win against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Norwegian also led United to the 2021 Europa League final but was unable to claim the trophy against Ajax. Solskjaer was eventually sacked just under three years after being appointed and was replaced by another former United star.
Michael Carrick (21 Nov 2021-2 Dec 2021)
W2, D1, L0
Following the success that they had enjoyed with Solskjaer, United attempted to repeat the trick with a move for former midfielder Michael Carrick, who had held roles under Mourinho and Solskjaer.
Carrick was retained following the exit of the latter and was appointed on a caretaker basis. He enjoyed a dream start by beating Villarreal in the Champions League, while he also secured a respectable draw with Chelsea in his first league game.
Carrick rounded off his caretaker spell by beating Arsenal 3-2 ahead of being replaced by Ralf Rangnick. The former has since taken in a spell with Middlesbrough but now finds himself out of work after being sacked by the Championship side earlier this season.
Ruud van Nistelrooy (28 Oct 2024-10 Nov 2024)
W3, D1, L0
The most recent example of United’s willingness to look to the past came only last season after Erik ten Hag was dismissed. After impressing with Dutch side PSV, former forward Van Nistelrooy returned to Old Trafford to be part of his compatriot’s coaching team.
He was retained after Ten Hag was axed and enjoyed an impressive four-game spell at the helm. Van Nistelrooy led United to a 5-2 Carabao Cup win against Leicester in his first game and followed that up with a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
The Red Devils saw off PAOK in Van Nistelrooy’s third game before he rounded off an impressive stint with a 3-0 win vs Leicester in the Premier League. Van Nistelrooy was not retained following Amorim’s arrival and was soon handed a new role at the King Power Stadium.
He endured a woeful spell in the Midlands, losing 19 of his 27 games in charge. He has yet to return to the dugout.
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