Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has expressed concerns over the potential hiring of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the club’s interim manager, describing it as reminiscent of the film *Groundhog Day*. Solskjaer, who previously played for United for over a decade, served as the team’s manager from 2018 until his dismissal in 2021. Currently, he is reportedly in discussions with the club to return to a temporary managerial role following the departure of Erik ten Hag.
In addition to Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and Ruud Van Nistelrooy are also in consideration for the interim position. Van Nistelrooy previously managed United for four matches between the tenures of Erik ten Hag and Amorim. Meanwhile, Darren Fletcher, a former midfielder and the club’s under-18s coach, recently led the team during a 2-2 draw against a rival club and will continue to manage them in an upcoming FA Cup match.
Neville highlighted the cyclical nature of the club’s managerial decisions, stating on Sky Sports, “They put Ryan [Giggs] in charge 10 years ago, then Ole came in charge and you go back to the old boys, then you go for a new one, then you go for more experience. It is almost like a cycle, like a movie we have all seen before and *Groundhog Day*.”
He acknowledged Solskjaer’s deep connection to Manchester United, stating, “Ole is someone who absolutely loves the club, he knows the job, he has been in the job.” While he praised the potential candidates, including Carrick and Van Nistelrooy, he cautioned that they would face immense pressure over the next few months. “They are going to have to be ready for that,” Neville added.
As the search for an interim manager continues, Neville expressed his best wishes to whoever ultimately takes on the role, emphasizing the challenges that lie ahead. The situation at Manchester United remains fluid, with fans and analysts closely monitoring developments as the club navigates this transitional period.
Information from ESPN’s Mark Ogden contributed to this report.
