Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 5y

Manchester United name Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as caretaker manager

MANCHESTER, England -- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been confirmed as Manchester United caretaker manager following the club's decision to sack Jose Mourinho on Tuesday.

Sources have told ESPN FC that United have paid compensation to Norwegian side Molde for Solskjaer's services until May. Despite the short-term deal, the former striker will also have an input into January signings, with sources close to the club refusing to rule out new additions in the winter window.

"Manchester United is in my heart and it's brilliant to be coming back in this role," Solskjaer, who scored 126 goals in 366 appearances for United, said. "I'm really looking forward to working with the very talented squad we have, the staff and everyone at the club."

United confirmed the 45-year-old Norwegian's appointment until the end of the season in a statement which said he will be assisted by Mike Phelan as first-team coach, together with Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna.

Carrick and McKenna will take training on Wednesday, with Solskjaer due to oversee on-field matters for the first time on Thursday. It is expected he will be face the media for the first time at United's regular Friday news conference.

Solskjaer spent 11 years as a player at Old Trafford between 1996 and 2007 and scored the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final win over Bayern Munich.

He has temporarily left his job in charge of Molde in his homeland and will take charge of his first game on Saturday at Cardiff, where he was sacked as manager in 2014. He had a spell as reserve-team manager at United between 2008 and 2011.

Molde have confirmed Solskjaer will return to the club in the summer after recently signing a new contract that will keep him at the club until 2021.

"The fact that Manchester United are asking Molde FK to borrow our manager is in itself an event and not least a statement of trust in both Ole Gunnar and Molde FK," Molde chief executive Oystein Neerland said in a club statement. "We are happy to lend Ole Gunnar, we wish both him and the club success.

"This is a big opportunity for Molde FK, we think it will help put Molde FK on the football map."

Solskjaer won just nine of his 30 games in charge of Cardiff after his appointment in January 2014. He oversaw their relegation from the Premier League and was dismissed in September 2014 after a disappointing start to their Championship campaign.

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said he was confident Solskjaer's appointment would bring the squad and fans together.

"Ole is a club legend with huge experience, both on the pitch and in coaching roles," Woodward said.

"His history at Manchester United means he lives and breathes the culture here and everyone at the club is delighted to have him and Mike Phelan back. We are confident they will unite the players and the fans as we head into the second half of the season."

Phelan confirmed that he will undertake a dual role at Old Trafford whilst also being the sporting director of Australian club Central Coast Mariners.

"Part of the discussion with Manchester United was that I will still be available for the Mariners, this is a dual role," Phelan said in a statement.

"I will take the first opportunity possible to get back to the Central Coast. I'm not going anywhere, I am one phone call away from anyone at the Mariners."

Sources have told ESPN FC that Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is the preferred choice as the club's next permanent boss.

Mourinho was fired on Tuesday with United having made their worst start to a league campaign after 17 games since the 1990-91 season. United are sixth in the Premier League, 19 points behind leaders Liverpool and 11 behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

United have two home fixtures over the Christmas period, hosting Huddersfield Town on Dec. 26 before Bournemouth visit Old Trafford four days later.

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