Solskjaer reveals he backed Carrick for Manchester United job during his own talks with club

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told Manchester United’s leadership to appoint Michael Carrick during private talks in January in which Solskjaer himself was a candidate to replace Ruben Amorim. The former United manager met CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox to discuss the vacancy, yet used the meeting to advocate for his former assistant.

“When I spoke to United, I also boasted about Michael — ‘If you choose him, you will get a good man,’ I said,” Solskjaer told Norwegian broadcaster TV2. “I think he did the same to me. 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.”

Both Solskjaer and Carrick were considered frontrunners for the role, with the Norwegian spotted in Cheshire during the height of the speculation. Solskjaer, 53, was keen to play down any sense of personal ambition, insisting he placed no demands on wages or contract length and that neither he nor Carrick was desperate for the position.

“None of us were desperate to get the job. We’d probably be up for the job if they asked,” he said. “I gave my input on what is needed for the club to move forward. It was one small chat we had. There were no negotiations. Going back to what has been is not always as good. Yes, I had lined up, but I didn’t think it would last longer than the summer. It was probably time for someone else to try.”

Solskjaer managed United for three years between December 2018 and November 2021, initially taking charge on an interim basis after Jose Mourinho’s sacking before signing a permanent three-year deal three months later. His dismissal in November 2021 handed Carrick a brief caretaker stint across three matches before Ralf Rangnick was appointed for the remainder of that season. Carrick subsequently left the club and went on to manage Middlesbrough.

Despite stepping aside this time, Solskjaer acknowledged he still feels a pull towards Old Trafford. “I also feel like I have something unresolved,” he said. “Of course it would have been nice to have the opportunity again.”