Man Utd in ‘advanced talks’ on manager return as Erik ten Hag lands shock job

Robin Bairner

7 Jan 2026 07:25 GMT
3 min read

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Man Utd, INEOS — © IMAGO

Manchester United are ready to welcome back a well-known face to Old Trafford to replace Ruben Amorim as former Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag lands a surprise new role.

Article continues under the video

United moved to appoint U19 head coach Darren Fletcher to replace Amorim on a temporary basis, but it appears the former Scotland midfielder will simply be a stop-gap measure before a longer interim appointment is made at Old Trafford.

Seeking stability, the Man Utd board is ready to appoint fan favourite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the job, according to football transfer insider Ben Jacobs.

Ole Solskjaer takes the wheel again

“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a frontrunner for the Manchester United caretaker role following advanced talks. United sources insist there are multiple candidates and a formal face-to-face interview with a preferred choice is still needed before any final decision is taken,” Jacobs reports via X.

“However, Solskjaer has the support of senior Man Utd players and some high-profile club legends.

“Michael Carrick and Ruud Van Nistelrooy are two other names under consideration.”

© IMAGO - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Back at Man Utd?

Florien Plettenberg of Sky Sport Deutschland similarly reports: “Personal terms between Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are not an issue. Talks and negotiations with his agent, Jim Solbakken, have already taken place and are well advanced.

“Solskjaer is currently one of the top candidates to take over until the end of the season, but Manchester United are also assessing other profiles. Solskjaer is ready to help again and waiting patiently. No decision yet.”

Erik ten Hag accepts new role: Ex-Man Utd boss back in the game

Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, has confirmed that former Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag is also being lined up for an important new role.

On his YouTube channel, the football transfer reporter stated: “Erik ten Hag has signed as the new technical director of FC Twente in the Netherlands.

“He will begin work on 1 February 2026 and will be responsible for sporting strategy, recruitment decisions and long-term planning, including the 2026/27 summer transfer window.

“This is a new chapter for Ten Hag after Ajax, Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen, moving into a technical director role.”