Solskjaer admits 'unresolved' feelings at Man Utd as Carrick's future hangs by a thread

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted he would not rule out a return to Manchester United, telling Norwegian outlet TV2 that he has “something unresolved” at Old Trafford — comments that land as current head coach Michael Carrick fights to keep his job following a 2-0 Premier League defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The loss left United hovering above the relegation zone solely on goal difference, intensifying scrutiny on Carrick after United’s hierarchy had already convened at Carrington last week to discuss the club’s direction. The decision was made to retain Carrick for the Chelsea fixture, and he is not expected to be dismissed before Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Roma.

Solskjaer, who managed United between 2018 and 2021 before being sacked, had previously interviewed for the interim role that ultimately went to Carrick following Ruben Amorim’s departure. “Yes, I had lined up [as Manchester United’s interim manager after Amorim’s sacking], but I didn’t think it would last longer than the summer,” Solskjaer said. “It was probably time for someone else to try. I also feel like I have something unresolved. Of course it would have been nice to have the opportunity again.”

The Norwegian was careful to frame any potential return as a distant, hypothetical scenario rather than an active pursuit, and was explicit in his support for Carrick. “If Michael does well for 10 years and decides to quit, and they ask me if I can take them for two months, of course I wouldn’t say no,” he said. “I’ve been at that club for 18-19 years, so it’s part of the family. But it’s not something I’m thinking about. Michael has what it takes to take that club forward. I think he’s the right man. He understands the club, understands the fans and knows what’s needed.”

The two men share a deeply intertwined history at United. Carrick served as part of Solskjaer’s backroom staff during his three-year tenure, before stepping up as caretaker manager for three matches at the end of 2021 following Solskjaer’s dismissal. Carrick’s own trajectory — interim appointment, a period of encouraging results, then a permanent contract followed by a dip in form — has closely mirrored the path his former boss walked before him.

With United’s league position precarious and a Champions League fixture imminent, Carrick’s ability to engineer a rapid turnaround will likely determine whether the club’s hierarchy revisits those managerial conversations in the coming days.