Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed Michael Carrick as the right man for Manchester United, while saying he still feels he has unfinished business at Old Trafford. He also said he would not rule out a future return, which keeps the conversation around the club's next move very much alive after the loss to Chelsea.
Solskjaer's unfinished business
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Solskjaer said: "I also feel like I have something unresolved. Of course it would have been nice to have the opportunity again." He was even more direct about Carrick, saying: "Michael has what it takes to take that club forward. I think he's the right man. He understands the club, understands the fans and knows what's needed."
The quote that will travel fastest is the first one, because it leaves the door open without making any move himself. Solskjaer also said, "If Michael does well for 10 years and decides to quit, and they ask me if I can take them for two months, of course I wouldn't say no. I've been at that club for 18-19 years, so it's part of the family. But it's not something I'm thinking about."
Carrick still under pressure
The pressure on Carrick does not come from Solskjaer's comments, it comes from the table and the results. United lost 2-0 at Chelsea on Saturday afternoon, sit 17th in the Premier League, and are only two points ahead of bottom side Sunderland. They have 7 points from 9 league matches and are without a win in nine.
That run has left little room for patience, even if Solskjaer is publicly supportive. United have scored 10 goals in 9 league matches, which is not the kind of return that settles anything around the manager's future.
Mirror reporting says Carrick may yet get two more matches against Roma and Aston Villa, both at Old Trafford. Those are the fixtures that will shape the immediate argument, not Solskjaer's comments about what might happen years down the line.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
