Celebrations have reportedly erupted around Carrington as Manchester United move closer to ushering in a new chapter, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS edging toward an agreement with a new manager following a verbal understanding reached late last night.
The development comes after a turbulent spell that has seen the club finally draw the curtain on Ruben Amorim’s brief and largely disappointing reign.
After 14 months that failed to inspire confidence or consistency, United’s hierarchy made the decision to dismiss the Portuguese coach.
His exit followed a heated disagreement with director of football Jason Wilcox, coupled with controversial post-match remarks after the Leeds fixture that reportedly strained relations beyond repair. INEOS felt they had little alternative but to act decisively.
On the pitch, Amorim struggled to win over supporters and stakeholders alike. Results were inconsistent, performances lacked identity, and his tactical approach drew criticism for being rigid and ineffective.
Equally frustrating for many was his apparent reluctance to place trust in the club’s academy graduates, a tradition long regarded as central to Manchester United’s identity.
In the immediate aftermath of Amorim’s dismissal, Darren Fletcher has been handed temporary responsibility for the first team.
Early signs under his stewardship have been encouraging, with improved organization and spirit evident in the recent match against Burnley.
While Fletcher is expected to remain in charge at least until the upcoming FA Cup clash with Brighton, the club’s owners are already exploring options for a more established interim figure to guide the team through the remainder of the season.
At present, the shortlist for the caretaker role appears to be led by two familiar faces: former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his ex-assistant Michael Carrick.
Solskjaer’s potential return is reportedly popular within the dressing room, with several senior players backing the Norwegian.
He is said to be open to staying on beyond the interim period should results improve and if he can steer the club back into Champions League contention.
However, not everyone is convinced that revisiting the past is the right solution.
Club legend Gary Neville has voiced concerns about taking further risks and believes INEOS should instead focus on appointing a proven serial winner.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville argued that United have spent over a decade gambling on appointments that failed to meet the club’s elite standards.
According to Neville, United should be targeting managers with a clear pedigree—individuals who understand the Premier League, have succeeded in Europe, and are accustomed to handling pressure at the highest level.
He highlighted Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti as examples of the calibre of coach United should pursue if they are serious about restoring their former dominance.
Neville stressed that such managers tick all the necessary boxes: domestic league success, Champions League triumphs, experience managing world-class players, and the mental strength to cope with scrutiny and expectation.
In his view, these qualities dramatically narrow the field to only a handful of elite candidates.
While both Tuchel and Ancelotti are currently occupied with international commitments, Neville suggested that opportunities could arise once the World Cup concludes.
At that point, United may find themselves well-positioned to act provided they are willing to wait and avoid another short-term gamble.
For now, Manchester United stand at a crossroads, balancing the need for stability in the present with the ambition of securing a world-class leader for the future.
The coming months could define whether this latest reset finally leads the club back toward its long-lost glory days.
