Leading candidate for United's forced solution - Michael Carrick

Even though at one point Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had better odds to return to Old Trafford for the third time (second as a manager), it seems that the Norwegian will remain empty-handed, as the sources from England claim Michael Carrick is the leading candidate to become Manchester United's caretaker manager after Ruben Amorim's departure.

Interestingly, the former midfielder has already led the Red Devils as a temporary coach in November 2021, following Solskjaer's dismissal. However, after two triumphs and a draw, Ralf Rangnick succeeded him.

Now, Carrick's stint at Old Trafford may be way longer, though his experience isn't promising. After leaving United's bench, he led Middlesbrough to the fourth position in the Championship in his maiden season and the EFL Cup semi-finals in his second campaign. Yet, after finishing tenth last season, he was sacked.

FALSE 10: ‘Jim can‘t fix this‘

Following Amorim's departure, Carrick's former teammate, Darren Fletcher, took over the coaching position, but recorded a Premier League draw against Burnley and a defeat in the third round of the FA Cup at home against Brighton.

Although his managerial resume is far from rich, Carrick is still a Red Devils legend, having spent 12 years at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson and made 464 appearances in all competitions. Perhaps his arrival will return that long-gone Man United's spirit, which could be crucial in the struggle to get the club out of its dire situation.

The Manchester side's management is expected to announce its final decision in the days to come.

FA CUP - ROUND 3

Friday

Milton Keynes Dons - Oxford 3-4 on pen (1-1)

/Collins 34 - Lankshear 52/

Port Vale - Fleetwood 1-0 (1-0)

/Shipley 45+2/

Preston - Wigan 0-1 (0-0)

/Bettoni 75/

Wrexham - Nottingham Forest 4-3 on pen (3-3)

/Cacace 37, Rathbone 40, Hyam 74 - Jesus 64, Hudson-Odoi 76, 89/

Saturday

Cheltenham - Leicester 0-2 (0-2)

/Daka 23, Mavididi 45/

Everton - Sunderland 0-3 on pen (1-1)

/Garner 89 pen - La Fee 90/

Macclesfield - Crystal Palace 2-1 (1-0)

/Dawson 43, Buckley 61 - Pino 90/

Wolverhampton - Shrewsbury 6-1 (3-1)

/Larsen 9, 41, 58, Arias 11, Gomes 86, Arokodare 90+2 - Marquis 26 pen/

Manchester City - Exeter City 10-1 (4-0)

/Alleyne 12, Rodri 24, Hayes 42 og, Fitzwater 45+2 og, Lewis 49, 90+1, Semenyo 54, Reijnders 71, O'Reilly 79, McAidoo 86 - Birch 90/

Boreham Wood - Burton 0-5 (0-2)

/Lofthouse 35, O'Connell 41 og, Tavares 67, Williams 83, McKiernan 90+2/

Burnley - Millwall 5-1 (3-0)

/Barnes 11, 65, Tchaouna 35, Anthony 44, Banel 89 - Coburn 90+4/

Doncaster - Southampton 2-3 (0-3)

/Pearson 48, Gibson 59 - Bragg 8, Archer 24, Matsuki 41/

Fulham - Middlesbrough 3-1 (0-1)

/Wilson 60, Smith Rowe 77, Kevin 90+3 - Hackney 30/

Ipswich - Blackpool 2-1 (1-0)

/Philogene-Bidace 35, Greaves 87 - Fletcher 90+6/

Newcastle - Bournemouth 7-6 on pen (3-3)

/Barnes 50, 118, Gordon 90+5 pen - Scott 62, Brooks 68, Tavernier 120+2/

Salford City - Swindon POSTPONED

Sheffield Wednesday - Brentford 0-2 (0-1)

/Lewis-Potter 27, Jensen 64 pen/

Stoke - Coventry 1-0 (0-0)

/Cisse 88/

Bristol City - Watford 5-1 (2-0)

/Jacobsen 2,68,76, Mehmeti 37, Atkinson 66 - Grieves 74/

Cambridge - Birmingham 2-3 (0-2)

/Kaikai 80,89 - Wagner 31, Furuhashi 42, Ducksch 78/

Grimsby - Weston 3-2 (1-0)

/Vernam 41, Kabia 70, Green 86 - Coulson 49, Britton 77/

Tottenham - Aston Villa 1-2 (0-2)

/Odobert 54 - Buendia 22, Rogers 45+3/

Charlton - Chelsea 1-5 (0-1)

/Leaburn 57 - Hato 45+1, Adarabioyo 50, Guiu 62, Neto 90+1, Enzo 90+4 pen/

Sunday

Derby - Leeds 1-3 (1-0)

/Brereton Diaz 35 - Gnonto 55, Tanaka 59, Justin 90+3/

Portsmouth - Arsenal 1-4 (1-2)

/Bishop 3 - Dozzell 8 og, Martinelli 25,51, 72/

Hull - Blackburn 4-3 on pen (0-0)

Norwich - Walsall 5-1 (2-0)

/Jurasek 15, Makama 24, 48,55, Springett 90+2 - Clarke 67/

Sheffield Utd - Mansfield 3-4 (1-2)

/Hamer 20, Bamford 61, Moriah-Welsh 65 og - Reed 13,44, Akins 50, Oates 57/

Swansea - WBA 5-6 on pen (0-0)

/Eom 48, Inoussa 112 - Maja 53, Wallace 108/

West Ham - QPR 2-1 a.e.t (1-0)

/Summerville 45+10, Castellanos 98 - Kone 65/

Manchester United - Brighton 1-2 (0-1)

/Sesko 85 - Gruda 12, Welbeck 64/

Monday

22.45: (1.13) Liverpool (9.00) Barnsley (17.0)

***odds are subject to change***