Published: 00:19, 7 January 2026 | Updated: 00:23, 7 January 2026

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick are locked in a two-way fight to become Manchester United’s interim head coach until the end of the season.

Daily Mail Sport understands that Solskjaer and Carrick spoke to chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox on Tuesday, but the club won’t make a final decision until they have met both men in person.

Although Darren Fletcher, who will be caretaker boss for Wednesday night’s game at Burnley, still has an outside chance of landing the interim job, Ruud van Nistelrooy has drifted out of contention.

Solskjaer emerged as a leading contender on Tuesday as he bids to make an emotional return to Old Trafford. A club legend as a player, his success as a temporary replacement for Jose Mourinho in December 2018 led to him staying in charge for almost three years.

Ironically, Carrick stepped in as caretaker for three games when Solskjaer was sacked in November 2021.

The 52-year-old Norwegian, who has been out of work since leaving Besiktas in August, was...