Michael Carrick latest as ex-Middlesbrough boss linked with Manchester United return
The former Middlesbrough boss has been linked with Old Trafford move, write PA.
Darren Fletcher confirmed he had been asked to take charge of Manchester United for their FA Cup match against Brighton after beginning his reign as interim boss with a 2-2 draw at Burnley.
The former United midfielder was asked to step in following Ruben Amorim’s sacking earlier this week. Fans sang the names of both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick – the two leading contenders to take charge for the rest of the season – at Turf Moor.
But Fletcher said: “I’ve been informed they’d like me to take the team for Sunday. “There was a feeling that might have been the case from Monday, but we wanted to focus on Burnley. But yes, I’m tasked with leading the team on Sunday, so all my focus and energy goes to that now.”
Fletcher felt United did enough to beat the Clarets as they squandered a string of chances. Burnley went ahead 13 minutes in when Ayden Heaven inadvertently turned Bashir Humphreys’ cross into his own net but United – having dispensed with Amorim’s much-maligned 3-4-3 formation – responded excellently.
They saw two shots cleared off the line and Lisandro Martinez have a goal disallowed for a foul before Benjamin Sesko then scored twice in 10 second-half minutes to turn it around. But after Bruno Fernandes struck a post and Heaven missed a glorious chance with a header, Jaidon Anthony levelled for the hosts. United substitute Shea Lacey also struck the crossbar as United had a total of 30 shots, 10 on target, but finished with only a point.
On the manager front, Sky Sports report: “It's looking increasingly unlikely that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick will be asked to work together in an interim role at Manchester United for the rest of the season, Sky Sports News has learned.
“Both former players remain at the forefront of United's plans, but it could now be a straight choice between the two, with one man asked to take charge of the first team for the final 17 Premier League matches of the campaign, and any more FA Cup games.
“On assessment, it seems that United's bosses consider both Solskjaer and Carrick as a natural 'No 1'.”
Your next Middlesbrough read: South Shields manager makes transfer admission as Sunderland and Middlesbrough agreements close