Man United poised to finalise interim manager appointment TODAY as shock twist emerges

Manchester United are set to announce their interim manager ahead of taking on Manchester City this coming Saturday, after holding talks with both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick

Manchester United could name a new interim head coach until the end of the season as soon as TODAY. And it has emerged that Michael Carrick is now the frontrunner for the position, ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties at Old Trafford a week ago, with former United midfielder Darren Fletcher taking the helm for matches against Burnley and Brighton.

The club's hierarchy, including director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrarda, have met with Carrick and Solskjaer before making their decision.

Ex-Middlesbrough boss Carrick had discussions on Thursday, while Solskjaer met the duo over the weekend at Carrington, reports The Guardian.

There is an ambition to make an appointment quickly enough so that the interim boss has sufficient time to prepare for the Manchester derby. United welcome Manchester City to Old Trafford in the Premier League this Saturday (12.30pm).

It appears if it is in fact Carrick, he could have a difficult task in lifting a group that have already been dumped out of both domestic cup competitions and can now only qualify for Europe through the league.

Fletcher painted a concerning picture for the new man in the hot seat. “You can see that the players are fragile and they need to build themselves up because it’s up to them now – they have got to respond,” he said after Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup third round at Old Trafford.

"Confidence is one of the most powerful things in football. When you don’t have confidence, you have to dig deep – and you have to battle, grind, fight, work, win games – and then the confidence comes back.”

Fletcher insisted he has no idea what comes next. The Scottish coach is set for a meeting at Carrington on Monday morning.

"I've had zero indication, and because all my energy and focus and concentration has had to be on these two games, in such a quick turnaround, and preparing the team, a three-game week, you know, everything that I said," he commented.

"So, I genuinely mean that. It's a massive responsibility to lead this club, and I've gave it my best and ultimately I'm disappointed to not be able to win a game or to get a result today.

"But I feel like there were some good things in there. We created a lot of chances, shots, things like that. But, ultimately, it wasn't enough.

"So I am more disappointed than anybody, really, because I care for the club and I want the club to do well and I want the players to do well.

"And genuinely mean that, it's not about me. I've had my time as a player, it's in the bank now, it's done. Loved every minute of it, was very lucky. It's all about them. But we need to help them, the club need to help them, and they're going to need to help themselves."

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