Man Utd website names Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as new interim manager

Manchester United appear to have found their caretaker manager – or have they?

Sky Sports and BBC Sport report that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been “accidentally unveiled” as United’s interim manager on the club’s website.

According to the BBC, a page on manutd.com refers to the 45-year-old Solskjaer as “our interim manager”.

The page has since been deleted but the BBC believes the cat is now out of the bag. The broadcaster says the former United striker will be appointed as Jose Mourinho’s replacement either today or later this week.

Ole to Old Trafford

In the hours following Mourinho’s dismissal, speculation has been rife as to who might replace the Special One in the Old Trafford hot seat.

The smart money is on Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, who according to The Guardian has already started to “dance” with United. But whatever tune they’re playing it’s unlikely the Argentine will be available before the end of the season.

This means six months with a caretaker manager and Solskjaer is tipped to step into the breach. The Norwegian was a fans’ favourite during his time at the club, scoring 126 goals for United in 11 seasons under Alex Ferguson.

Darren Fletcher, a former teammate of Solskjaer’s at Old Trafford, believes appointing a caretaker boss would be a big mistake. “They’re almost writing off this season and next season because if they appoint a new manager in the summer he’s not going to have much time to look for new players,” he told BBC Radio 5 live. “There is a real concern that you could have two seasons of rebuilding again.”

Vanishing act

Currently managing Norwegian side Molde, Solskjaer’s club is on a winter break until March. It would be no trouble luring him to Old Trafford and it looks like this has already been done. The video on United’s official website shows him scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 1999.

The caption reads: “Solskjaer becomes our interim manager, 20 seasons after clinching the Treble with THAT goal at Camp Nou.”

As if this isn’t proof enough of his appointment, the Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg has hailed Solskjaer’s appointment on social media, according to the BBC. She wrote: “Great day for Norwegian football. Good luck keeping control of the Red Devils.”

The tweet, like the caption (and Jose Mourinho), has since vanished.