Former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has interestingly given his opinion on who he feels will one day replace the current Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot-seat.
Solskjaer tipped a fellow ex-Red Devils, a former assistant under him, to replace him.
November of 2021 was when the time ran out for the Norwegian following a dismal run of results and was immediately replaced by Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis. However the German coach famed for his gegenpressing philosophy failed to fulfill the expectations expected of him and Ten Hag took over the reins on a permanent basis at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
With United now nearing the final stretch of Ten Hag’s debut season, they have already managed to secure one piece of silverware in the bag – the Carabao Cup. Fingers crossed, there is also the the FA Cup final meeting with local rivals Manchester City next month.
Hence, at this early juncture there is certainly no discussion among the United faithful over who will succeed the Dutchman just yet, but Solskjaer has given his opinion on the matter. Speaking to the Athletic, the former United manager has no doubts that ex-Red Devils midfielder Michael Carrick will one day occupy the Old Trafford hot-seat.
Carrick is currently helming Championship outfit Middlesbrough, who are facing off with Coventry in the Championship play-off semi-final first leg on Sunday afternoon. Having served as Solskjaer’s assistant during their shared time at United, Carrick clearly made quite the impression on the Norwegian.
“I mean this with my whole heart: I’m sure he will be the manager of Manchester United one day,” Solskjaer explained.
“Michael is class, from top to bottom. Integrity, loyalty, respect, knowledge; he’s got absolutely everything. I hope we do well with Erik, really hope so, and when he goes that Michael has had enough years for the club to say, ‘Come back, Michael, because we need you’.”
Solskjaer has not taken on another job in management since he was relieved of his duties as United boss, but has vowed that his own time on the touchline is by no means over.
He also refused to rule out a return to Old Trafford, though stopped short of explaining what kind role he’d take on.
“I’ve got another job in me, if it’s the right chance and exciting enough. There are so many clubs, but I’m not going to work just for the sake of working. It has to be something special, a new culture, or a club that really excites me. Or maybe they will want me back at the club [United] in some capacity, who knows?”