explainer
Al Jazeera is looking at five potential candidates to take charge of Man United following Ruben Amorim’s sacking.
Manchester United are looking for a new manager after the Premier League sacked Ruben Amorim on Monday.
The European giants have gone through 10 managers in the 12 years since legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down at the end of the 2012-2013 season, including permanent, interim and caretaker managers.
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Amorim lasted just 14 months in what was touted as a long-term tenure, and was unceremoniously resigned within hours of a dismissive press conference in which he exhorted the club’s scouting department and sporting director to “do their job”.
A United statement announcing his departure said it was “the right time for a change” as the club sit sixth in the Premier League, adding that former player and academy coach Darren Fletcher would take charge of the team for the next two games.
Who is the best candidate to become United’s new manager?
The Premier League’s most successful club have made no hint about appointing their next manager, but several names have been thrown around by fans, pundits and the British media.
These include former players, current Premier League managers, sacked Premier League managers and England managers.
Oliver Glasner
The current Crystal Palace manager led the club to their first FA Cup victory in 2025 and subsequently qualified for the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League.
Glasner is one of the favorites to take over at United, especially as he is likely to leave Palace at the end of this season. His contract with the club expires at the end of this season and the Austrian has indicated that new contract negotiations are currently pending.
The 51-year-old has 11 years of managerial experience and has managed two teams in the Austrian top flight, as well as Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt in the German league.
Darren Fletcher
The former United midfielder, who was the first to graduate from Manchester United’s academy in 2003 and played under Ferguson for 12 years, has become one of the favorites to win the title since taking over as caretaker manager.
Fletcher has been United’s academy head coach since July and was the first choice to take over after Amorim’s departure.
The 41-year-old, who was a firm fan favorite during his playing days, could follow in the footsteps of former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who won the role of full-time manager after being appointed interim manager.
Enzo Maresca
Maresca’s departure from Chelsea was similar to Amorim’s departure at United, but the Italian had a successful first season in London, winning the UEFA Conference League and the Club World Cup.
The former Manchester City Under-23s and Parma manager led Leicester City back to the Premier League in 2024 before being snapped up by Chelsea.
Maresca is hoped to quickly find a role at the top level of European football, with Old Trafford potentially his next destination.
ole gunnar solskjaer
Solskjaer has endeared himself to the club’s faithful for his time playing and managing United, and claims his knowledge of the ‘Fergie Way’ can help them return to their glory days.
In terms of results, the Norwegian did not win any major trophies during his time at United, but he did manage to lead the team to the Europa League final and runners-up in 2021.
Solskjær is currently unemployed after being sacked by Turkish side Besiktas after eight months in charge.
thomas tuchel
The current England manager is focused on leading the Three Lions in the upcoming World Cup, but his name has been thrown around to take over at United ahead of the start of the new season in August 2026.
The German is used to winning trophies with Europe’s major clubs, having done it with Chelsea, PSG and Bayern Munich.
