Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed as Manchester United interim manager until end of the season

Ole Gunnar Solskjær has been named Manchester United caretaker manager until the end of the season.

Solskjær, 45, is a fan favourite after his spell as a player at Old Trafford, where he scored 126 goals in 366 appearances – including scoring the dramatic injury-time match-winner in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

He will relinquish his role with Molde until the end of the season, and it is expected he will return at the conclusion of his time in Manchester.

The move will buy United time to appoint a full-time manager at the end of the season – with Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane believed to be some of the leading contenders.

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“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 Solskjær.

The Norwegian’s appointment follows his time at Molde and a brief spell in charge at Cardiff – when the Bluebirds were last in the Premier League.

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He failed to save the Welsh side from relegation having won the Norwegian league in consecutive years between 2011-13.

He will now chance his arm again in England as he looks to bring the ‘United way’ back to the club after Mourinho’s pragmatic approach.

Speaking to the club’s website, vice chairman Ed Woodward pointed towards Solksjaer’s history with the club as the decisive feature, as well as the fact that he ‘lives and breathes’ their culture.

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A club statement read: “Manchester United announced today that former striker Ole Gunnar Solskjær has been appointed as caretaker manager until the end of the 2018/19 season.

“Solskjær will take charge of the first team with immediate effect and will remain in place while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new full-time manager.

“He will be joined by Mike Phelan as first-team coach, working alongside Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna.”