Former United Forward Solskjaer, Named United Caretaker Manager

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been appointed as Manchester United's caretaker manager until the end of the season.

Solskjaer spent 11 seasons at Old Trafford, scoring 126 goals in 366 appearances including the winning goal in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 1999.

Following his retirement he was named manager of the club's reserves before leaving to join Norwegian side Molde. He returned to the Premier League to take charge of Cardiff City in 2014 but his eight-month spell proved disappointing as the Bluebirds were relegated to the Championship.

Solskjaer, who signed a new deal with Molde earlier this month, will be joined by Mike Phelan who was Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant, while Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna will remain part of the coaching staff.

“Manchester United is in my heart and it’s brilliant to be coming back in this role. I’m really looking forward to working with the very talented squad we have, the staff and everyone at the club,” said Solskaer.

United will appoint a permanent successor to Mourinho in the summer and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has backed Solskjaer to reunited the club.
"Ole is a club legend with huge experience, both on the pitch and in coaching roles," Woodward said.

"His history at Manchester United means he lives and breathes the culture here and everyone at the club is delighted to have him and Mike Phelan back.
"We are confident they will unite the players and the fans as we head into the second half of the season."

Solskjaer’s appointment was expected after the club’s official website accidentally unveiled him on Tuesday evening.

News of Solksjaer's appointment was confirmed in a caption that appeared alongside a video which featured the 45-year-old scoring the winner in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 1999. The caption read: "Solskjaer becomes our interim manager, 20 seasons after clinching the Treble with THAT goal at Camp Nou..."

The post was quickly deleted but Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg took to Twitter to congratulate him on his appointment - she subsequently deleted the tweet.

"That Manchester United ask Molde FK to lend the manager is by itself an event, and not least a statement of trust for both Ole Gunnar and Molde FK," said Molde chief executive Oystein Neerland.

"We are positive to lend Ole Gunnar, we wish both him and the club a success."