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After the dust settles on Manchester United's decision to sack Jose Mourinho, there comes the big question: who takes charge of the team at Old Trafford now?
As per the official announcement, United will presently appoint a caretaker manager to take charge till the end of the season. The permanent successor to Mourinho and the next candidate for what now looks like the toughest job in football would be shortlisted as the season progresses. While this looks like a simple decision, there are a lot of complications involved.
There would most certainly be no title challenge right now, but Manchester United will be looking to at least finish in the top 4 and secure Champions League football next season. It would be the only way to attract a proper football manager and the right kinds of reinforcements in the team next season.
Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna are both eligible for the post of caretaker manager, but the task at hand is quite a challenge. To ensure a top 4 spot with an interim manager would be a tough ask.
This is probably why reports are emerging that United are looking at external candidates, who would be announced in the next 48 hours to steer the ship until a more deserving candidate is shortlisted for the long-term job. Here, we take a look at the top 3 candidates for the post of Caretaker Manager at Manchester United right now.
#3 Ryan Giggs
The Welshman would perhaps be more interested in a long-term role than a short-term firefighting post. Manchester United's most decorated player was the Interim Manager at Old Trafford during the end of David Moyes' tenure in 2014.
He then spent two years as Louis van Gaal's Assistant Manager, gathering valuable inputs and learning the tricks of the trade. After Mourinho's appointment, Giggs left United in search of greener pastures and is currently in charge of the Wales National Team.
If United wish to return to the heydays they enjoyed under Sir Alex Ferguson, it would be hard to find someone with better internal knowledge of the working of the club than Giggs. Giggs was shaped by Sir Alex and played his entire professional career under the legendary manager.
However, his lack of experience has hurt him in the race to the top job at Old Trafford. As such, Giggs could use this opportunity to shine as a caretaker manager and then stake a claim for the permanent post in the summer.
#2 Laurent Blanc
The former PSG Manager has not managed a club for more than 2 years since leaving PSG in 2016 and is now thought to be one of the top contenders for the Caretaker Job at Old Trafford right now.
The Frenchman has the knowledge of the club, having played there for two seasons from 2001 to 2003, under Sir Alex Ferguson. Blanc knows what the requirements are at his former club and also understands the burden of expectations at Old Trafford.
As such, he would be a good fit for Manchester United until the end of the season, however, it remains to be seen if he would be interested in the caretaker job.
Blanc has experience of managing top talents in his career, especially at PSG and during his time as the manager of the France National Team, and will be a good influence for his countrymen Pogba and Martial.
He has also been quite successful, winning 4 Ligue 1 titles with Bordeaux and PSG. If he does decide to take the job, Blanc has the experience to steady the ship at Old Trafford and might even propel them to a Champions League spot.
#1 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
The Baby Faced Assassin is a legend at Old Trafford, thanks to his exploits there as a player. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a part of folklore at Manchester United and his appointment would boost the club, its fans and even some of the players who have grown up in awe of the Norwegian.
He is currently in contention to take the caretaker job and would be the perfect man to guide the Red Devils to glory.
After winning almost everything during his time at Old Trafford, Solskjaer made the transition to management by taking charge of the reserves in 2008. He moved to Molde in 2011 for his first managerial job, where he was quite successful, winning the League twice and also the Norwegian Football Cup once.
He took the job at Cardiff City in the Premier League in January 2014, but could not save his club from relegation. He moved back to Molde in 2015 and is currently in charge of the Norwegian club.
Solskjaer might seek the caretaker job as a means to redeem his managerial career and as of now, he is the front-runner for the job.
