How Man Utd could line up under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 9 Jan 2026 14:58 GMT
• 5 min read

Analysis

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is officially in talks with Manchester United over a return to the club on an interim basis following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.

The ex-Norway striker spent just shy of four years in the Old Trafford dugout between late 2018 and 2022, and he has been tipped to complete a sensational move back to the Red Devils amid their current managerial vacancy.

U18 head coach Darren Fletcher took charge for Man Utd’s 2-2 draw versus Burnley on Wednesday evening and he is once again expected to be at the helm when they take on Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup third round on Sunday afternoon.

Reports suggest that Man Utd are eager to wait until this summer before appointing a permanent replacement for Amorim, with Fletcher and Solskjaer among the candidates to become the caretaker boss for the remainder of the campaign.

While the former is currently in charge, Solskjaer is now in negotiations with Man Utd officials over a move back to Old Trafford and he has been widely tipped to be reappointed until the end of the 2025-26 season.

If Solskjaer does return to Man Utd, how may he opt to line up?

How Man Utd could line up under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Amorim was forced to shift away from his favoured 3-4-2-1 system during the final weeks of his reign and Fletcher duly oversaw a return to a more traditional 4-2-3-1 formation at Turf Moor in midweek.

This is the set-up that Solskjaer typically preferred during his first spell as Man Utd manager and it’s safe to assume that he is likely to deploy this system if he is indeed appointed as the club’s new interim boss.

Summer signing Senne Lammens has established himself as the undisputed number one since his arrival from Royal Antwerp and he will continue in between the sticks regardless of who is in charge for the rest of the campaign.

Solskjaer would likely turn to his old favourites in defence if he returns to Old Trafford, with Luke Shaw expected to nail down a regular berth at left-back and Harry Maguire playing an influential role at centre-back when he returns to full fitness.

Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui may well share duties at right-back, while Lisandro Martinez could just edge out Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven for a starting place alongside Maguire.

Amorim’s departure will reignite the Man Utd career of Kobbie Mainoo, and Solskjaer would be expected to regularly utilise the England star alongside the experienced Casemiro in a double midfield pivot.

A move away from Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 will free up Bruno Fernandes to play in his preferred No.10 role, while Matheus Cunha may be forced to play as a left winger as a result.

Amad Diallo was largely restricted by his right wing-back berth under Amorim, and the opportunity to play in a slightly more advanced role under Solskjaer could help him become one of the most feared attackers in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Sesko’s underwhelming form since arriving from RB Leipzig means that Bryan Mbeumo could be favoured as a centre forward. The Cameroon international isn’t a natural striker, but he played in this role on a number of occasions during his time at Brentford and is well-equipped to lead the line at Old Trafford.

Man Utd starting XI under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

GK: Senne Lammens

RB: Diogo Dalot

CB: Harry Maguire

CB: Lisandro Martinez

LB: Luke Shaw

CM: Casemiro

CM: Kobbie Mainoo

RW: Amad Diallo

CAM: Bruno Fernandes

LW: Matheus Cunha

ST: Bryan Mbeumo

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