Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reacted to growing speculation linking him with a possible return to Manchester United, as the club searches for a temporary solution following the dismissal of Rúben Amorim.
Early on Monday, Amorim was officially informed that his time at Old Trafford had come to an end.
The club explained that its leadership had “reluctantly decided” a change was necessary, bringing an abrupt conclusion to the Portuguese coach’s tenure.
Behind the scenes, the decision had reportedly been made even before Sunday night’s 1–1 draw against Leeds United, after a tense internal meeting involving Amorim and United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox.
Central to that discussion was Amorim’s continued insistence on using a 3-4-3 formation, which had become a point of friction within the hierarchy.
Following Amorim’s exit, United confirmed that Darren Fletcher, currently overseeing the club’s under-18 team, would step in on an interim basis for the upcoming Premier League fixture against Burnley.
However, Fletcher is widely viewed as a short-term stopgap rather than a long-term solution.
The club is understood to be seeking a caretaker manager to guide the team through the remainder of the 2025–26 season, with plans to appoint a permanent head coach in the summer.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is reportedly emerging as the leading candidate for the full-time role.
As discussions continue, several names have surfaced as potential caretakers, and among them is Solskjaer, who previously managed United for nearly three years before being dismissed in November 2021.
The Norwegian famously enjoyed a hugely successful interim spell when he first arrived in December 2018, winning 14 of his first 19 matches and ultimately earning the role on a permanent basis.
According to reports from Manchester World, Solskjaer would be open to returning to Old Trafford in a temporary capacity if approached.
While it remains unclear whether United will formally include him on their shortlist, the report suggests Solskjaer would welcome conversations about a remarkable comeback to the club.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reinforced this view, stating that Solskjaer would be more than willing to help United again as a caretaker manager and would embrace the opportunity if asked.
This openness is consistent with comments Solskjaer made in 2024, when he was questioned about the possibility of a return during a period of pressure on then-manager Erik ten Hag.
Speaking at the Oslo Business Forum, Solskjaer admitted that while it felt uncomfortable to discuss roles occupied by others, his emotional connection to United remained strong.
He suggested that if the club came calling, it would be extremely difficult to turn them down.
During his time in charge, Solskjaer oversaw 168 matches as United manager, achieving a win rate of approximately 54 percent.
While his tenure ended without silverware, many fans still remember the more attacking, expressive football played during his early spell.
Following Amorim’s departure, former United defender Gary Neville also weighed in on the club’s direction, urging decision-makers to appoint a manager who aligns with what he described as Manchester United’s traditional identity.
Neville argued that the club should embrace bold, attacking football and remain true to its established philosophy, rather than constantly reshaping itself to suit different managers.
He pointed out that while coaches such as Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho, Erik ten Hag, Amorim, and even Solskjaer are all highly capable professionals, each arrived with distinct philosophies that did not fully reflect United’s historical approach.
In Neville’s view, this constant shift in styles has contributed to the club’s ongoing instability, reinforcing the need for a clear, consistent footballing identity moving forward.
