The "Impossible Job" might just be calling back a familiar face. On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, reports surfaced that Manchester United have opened "positive talks" with Ole Gunnar Solskjær to return as caretaker manager following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.
Just 14 months after Amorim’s celebrated arrival, the club finds itself in a familiar spiral, and the INEOS-led hierarchy is reportedly leaning toward a "stabilizing force" to navigate the team until the end of the 2025/26 season.
The Current Situation: A Three-Man Shortlist
While Darren Fletcher has been placed in immediate charge for Wednesday’s clash against Burnley, United officials (led by Director of Football Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada) have reportedly contacted three former club legends to take the reins until the summer.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær: The leading candidate. Currently a match analyst for UEFA after a brief stint with Besiktas, Solskjær is reportedly "very open" to a second spell at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick: Currently out of work after leaving Middlesbrough last summer. Carrick previously held a perfect unbeaten record as a 3-game caretaker in 2021.
Ruud van Nistelrooy: The fan favorite who stabilized the ship after Erik ten Hag’s exit is once again under consideration.
Why Ole? The "Feel-Good" Factor
The logic behind a Solskjær return mirrors the reasoning from 2018:
Dressing Room Harmony: Senior players, including Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire, reportedly maintain a strong relationship with the Norwegian and would welcome his return.
Tactical Reset: After the failure of Amorim's rigid 3-4-3 system, the board believes Solskjær's preferred 4-2-3-1 is better suited to the current squad's profile.
Stat Comparison: Fans have been quick to point out that Solskjær’s 54.2% win rate and back-to-back top-three finishes look increasingly impressive compared to Amorim’s disastrous 38.1% return.
The "Amorim Aftermath"
Ruben Amorim was dismissed on Monday morning following a 1–1 draw with Leeds United that left the club sitting 6th in the Premier League, but with internal tensions boiling over regarding transfer policy. Amorim’s public criticism of Wilcox and Berrada following the Leeds match was reportedly the "final straw" for Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The Verdict: Manchester United are returning to a proven "quick fix" while they conduct a thorough search for a permanent manager in the summer. Whether Ole can replicate the "Paris Magic" of his first interim spell remains to be seen, but the "feel-good factor" is already beginning to return to the red side of Manchester.