Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in pole position to take charge of Manchester United until end of season - before big move for Zinedine Zidane or Mauricio Pochettino

  • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is favourite to be Manchester United's caretaker manager 
  • The Norwegian, a club legend, is currently in his homeland with Molde
  • He will take the club on until a permanent manager is recruited in the summer
  • The club then want to appoint either Zinedine Zidane or Mauricio Pochettino 
  • MOURINHO SACKED: Man United part ways with manager after poor season 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the shock frontrunner that Manchester United want to see them through the rest of the season.

The Norwegian, a club legend and baby faced assassin, is currently in his homeland with Molde but United want him to steer the club until the summer when a move for either Zinedine Zidane or Mauricio Pochettino is planned. 

However, United are confident of bringing the former Cardiff City manager back to Old Trafford and United sources are hopeful that there will be a statement made on Tuesday. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the shock frontrunner to take over as Manchester United caretaker

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the shock frontrunner to take over as Manchester United caretaker

The Norwegian is a cult hero at Old Trafford, making 366 appearances for United in 10 years  

The Norwegian is a cult hero at Old Trafford, making 366 appearances for United in 10 years  

SOLSKJAER'S MANCHESTER UNITED CAREER 

Joined: 1996

Appearances: 366

Goals: 126

Honours: 

6x Premier League titles

2x FA Cup

1x Champions League 

Left: 2007 

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Laurent Blanc, the former United defender and France coach, is not thought to be in consideration for the temporary role.


Molde managing director Oystein Neerland declined to comment on Solskjaer leaving the club when contacted by Sportsmail

Sportsmail can also disclose that Jose Mourinho was asked to attend a meeting with Ed Woodward before he arrived at Carrington this morning, where the news was delivered face-to-face by the club’s executive vice chairman. 

A series of figures estimating the Portuguese’s pay-off have been reported, but it is understood that the figure was around the £15m mark.

Mourinho's two-and-a-half year reign came to an end following the club's worst start to a top-flight season since 1990. His last game was a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. 

Mourinho was pictured arriving at the training ground at 9am on Tuesday - before being handed the news by Woodward. 

Solskjaer scored the winner in injury time when United won the Champions League in 1999

The Norwegian, a club legend, is currently managing in his homeland with Molde

The Norwegian, a club legend, is currently managing in his homeland with Molde

Mourinho's reign came to an end after the club's worst start to a top-flight season since 1990

Mourinho's reign came to an end after the club's worst start to a top-flight season since 1990

SOLSKJAER'S MANAGEMENT CAREER 

2008-2011: Manchester United Reserves

2011-2014: Molde

2014: Cardiff

2014-2016: Clausenengen

2015-present: Molde 

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The news was then officially confirmed at 9:46am, before a smiling and freshly-shaven Mourinho left Carrington three-and-a-half hours after arriving.

In the back of the car, Mourinho chatted to a man believed to be his close friend and advisor Ricardo Formosinho as they left with a driver at 12:30pm.

Later that afternoon at around 2.30pm, Mourinho was seen leaving the Lowry hotel as he drove away.

The club released a statement on their website which read: 'Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect.

'The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future.

'A new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season, while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager.'

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