Alan Shearer has cautioned Manchester United over a possible return for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, calling the move an odd step after the club’s decision to sack Ruben Amorim. United are expected to hold talks with the former striker this weekend as they search for an interim solution following another turbulent managerial change.
Solskjaer left Old Trafford at the end of the 2020 21 season after delivering back to back top four finishes and reaching the Europa League final. Since then, he has worked at Besiktas and is now available, with reports suggesting United are considering him as a short term option. However, Shearer believes the scale of the problems at the club makes a reunion risky rather than reassuring.
The former England captain pointed to Amorim’s dismissal as an outcome that felt inevitable, particularly after the Portuguese coach publicly criticised the club following a recent defeat. In Shearer’s view, once a manager openly challenges his employers, the end is rarely far away, and United were left with little choice but to act.
Shearer’s wider concern lies in the direction of travel at Old Trafford. He feels returning to a manager the club has already dismissed would signal a lack of long term planning, even acknowledging Solskjaer’s strong connection to United and his solid spell as interim boss. Instead, he suggested that figures like Michael Carrick or Darren Fletcher would make more sense as temporary appointments until a permanent solution becomes available.
United currently sit seventh in the Premier League, three points off the top four, but Shearer is unconvinced the situation will improve quickly. He believes the squad’s level places them closer to the middle of the table than genuine contenders and sees little evidence that a short term managerial fix would transform results.
Recent performances have reinforced that assessment. United’s draw with Burnley in midweek, overseen by Fletcher, reflected a side still struggling for control and consistency. Injuries and absences have played a role, but Shearer argues they do not fully explain the club’s ongoing issues.
Looking ahead, United face Brighton in the FA Cup this weekend as discussions continue behind the scenes. The result may shape short term confidence, but Shearer’s view is that meaningful progress will only come once the club commits to a clear structure and a strong, authoritative manager capable of aligning football operations from top to bottom.
