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OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER may be on track for a second managerial term at Manchester United.
However, he is not the first former player to take charge in the Old Trafford dugout.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer leads Michael Carrick in the race to become Man United’s next bossCredit: AP
The former Red Devils are in the mix following Ruben Amorim’s sackingCredit: Alamy
in the race to replace
Another fan favorite from the Theatre of Dreams, is already set to lead Wednesday’s match against Burnley.
Yet, there have been other club legends who have taken the reins—some for longer than others.
But how do they compare? Here, SunSport shares its rankings below…
4. RYAN GIGGS
Giggs served as player-coach under David Moyes until the Scot was unable to revive his own fortunes after a defeat at his former club Everton in April 2014.
United appointed Giggs for the final four matches of the season after the players had ceased to perform under Moyes, who resigned following United's failure to secure a Champions League spot.
Giggs enlisted former teammates Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes to assist him after Moyes's staff, Steve Round and Jimmy Lumsden, left with him. Phil Neville, another former teammate, remained.
United started strongly under Giggs, achieving a 4-0 victory against Norwich, but he faced setbacks, including a 1-0 loss to relegation-threatened Sunderland at Old Trafford the following week.
In a documentary filmed during his caretaker period, Giggs admitted he was too lenient with his team selections for that match.
Giggs made his final appearance for United in their last home game of the season, a 3-1 win over a heavily rotated Hull City side focused on the upcoming FA Cup final against Arsenal.
Ryan Giggs cried after leaving UnitedCredit: PA:Empics Sport
However, United’s season concluded with a 1-1 draw against Mauricio Pochettino’s Southampton. Giggs’s lackluster pre-match speech was recorded, revealing his inexperience, even at 40, in management.
At that point, it was evident that Louis van Gaal would be appointed as the next permanent manager.
Giggs was emotional as he drove home after United's return to Manchester, realizing that his playing career had come to an end.
His managerial career was effectively over as well, with only a few games in management with Wales since then.
3. RUUD VAN NISTELROOY
Once Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed to assist Erik ten Hag in July 2024, many anticipated that Ten Hag would be dismissed early in the season, allowing Van Nistelrooy to take over as caretaker manager.
This prediction came true, and Van Nistelrooy, one of the most beloved international players to wear the United shirt, achieved three wins and one draw during his short tenure.
His two-week period included matches against Leicester City in both the League Cup and the Premier League, with United winning comfortably 5-2 and 3-0.
In between those victories were a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Chelsea and a shaky 2-0 win over PAOK in the Europa League.
Van Nistelrooy was willing to step back again under Ruben Amorim, but the Portuguese coach informed him on his first day that he would be dismissed.
Ruud van Nistelrooy impressed but did not get the job permanentlyCredit: Getty
2. MICHAEL CARRICK
Carrick is another United caretaker with an unbeaten record. His ten-day stint is particularly notable given the caliber of teams United faced.
The five-time Premier League champion oversaw a
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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