As Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rebuilds from the ruins left behind by Jose Mourinho, Goal takes a look at some of the candidates in the running for the job
The cloud has lifted over Old Trafford since Jose Mourinho's departure and the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as caretaker boss until the end of the season was an inspired move.
It was an unusual move by the Manchester United hierarchy, but one which has already paid off with Paul Pogba, in particular, thriving in the new atmosphere fostered by the Norwegian.
Solskjaer's brief takes him up to the end of the 2018-19 season, with United set to appoint a permanent successor to Mourinho after that.
So who will take the reins? Goal takes a look at the top candidates – as well as a few outsiders – and their odds for the Manchester United job.
Getty Images1Marco Rose
A left-field candidate for the Manchester United job emerged when the reported that Red Bull Salzburg boss Marco Rose was in contention. According to the paper, the German coach is part of a five-man shortlist drawn up by the United board, alongside firmly established names such as Zidane, Blanc and Pochettino.
Rose's performance with Salzburg in continental competitions in particular is reported to have played a big part in the club's admiration for his abilities. However, given his relative inexperience, the 42-year-old seems like an unlikely appointment.
Odds: N/A
AdvertisementGetty2Ryan Giggs
Some Manchester United fans may recoil at the thought of Ryan Giggs taking the reins of at Old Trafford after footage of a team-talk from his temporary 2014 tenure as manager went viral early last year. However, like Solskjaer, his achievements as a player ensure that he remains admired.
Giggs is now managing Wales though and he has a European Championship qualifying campaign to gear up for this year so it seems unlikely. Indeed, when asked in the summer about whether or not he might take over from Mourinho, the Welshman told reporters: "No, I would keep my money in my pocket if I were you."
Odds: 50/1
Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty3Didier Deschamps
Having steered France to World Cup glory in 2018, Didier Deschamps is among a number of potential top-level candidates for the United job. The 50-year-old boasts vast experience and may be open to a new adventure after nearly seven years at the helm of Les Bleus.
He led Monaco to the final of the Champions League in 2004 – where they were beaten by Mourinho's Porto – and has enjoyed spells at Juventus and Marseille, winning Ligue 1 in 2010 with the latter.
Odds: 50/1
Ian MacNicol4Roberto Martinez
From one team of Red Devils to another? Roberto Martinez steered Belgium to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and appears to have unfinished business, having only taken up the role in 2016. His current deal takes him up to 2020, but he would surely be tempted to return to club football if an offer from Manchester United came his way.
With prior experience in the Premier League, Martinez knows English football well and his time at the helm of Belgium, working with some of the world's best players, has established him as one of Europe's top coaches. A particular plus can be found in the fact that the former Everton boss seems to be the man to get the best out of United striker Romelu Lukaku.
Odds: 50/1