Manchester United news LIVE: Ernesto Valverde ‘spoken to’ over interim role with Mauricio Pochettino favourite

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Manchester United play their first match in the post-Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era on Tuesday night, when they face Villarreal in the Uefa Champions League. United and their Spanish opponents currently occupy the top two spots in Group F, but Atalanta are just two points back and face bottom side Young Boys this evening in what is a tight group, with United’s progression still somewhat in doubt.

Michael Carrick needs a fast response from the team, therefore, to the abysmal weekend defeat to Watford which saw Solskjaer ultimately removed from his position in the dugout. Since his exit, an interview with the club from the former boss surprised some, while the names rumoured to be on the wishlist to replace him quickly grew. Mauricio Pochettino is reported to be at the head of that queue though, with the Independent learning that the former Tottenham and Southampton boss is keen to take over at Old Trafford - and could even do so mid-season.

If it can’t happen until summer and United follow the interim boss route until then as they announced, Laurent Blanc is one of the leading candidates for the post - but it’s Carrick in charge as United play their penultimate European game of the group stage and a fast turnaround in performances and results is required if they want to remain in the top competition.

Follow all the latest updates and reaction:

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Manchester United: Continuity caretaker Michael Carrick takes charge of club in need of sweeping change

The fact that Manchester United don’t have someone lined up to replace Solskjaer speaks volumes

Man United latest after Solskjaer sacking

Manchester United latest news

16:45 , Karl Matchett

The Guardian are reporting that Man United have held talks with Ernesto Valverde over taking the interim manager’s job.

He was in charge at Barcelona until January last year and has been without a role since then, but won LaLiga twice with the Catalan outfit.

The report suggests Valverde has already sounded out potential January recruits for if he does get the job, and has spoken with John Murtough, United’s football director, about the position.

Manchester United latest news

16:34 , Karl Matchett

To follow all the rest of the team news and match build-up, follow our live coverage of Villarreal vs Manchester United right here.

Villarreal vs Manchester United LIVE: Champions League updates

Manchester United latest news

16:33 , Karl Matchett

Alex Telles and Donny van de Beek are straight in for Man United’s new [interim/caretaker/temporary] boss Michael Carrick. United face Villarreal tonight in the Champions League.

Manchester United latest news

16:18 , Karl Matchett

Time ticking down on this man’s managerial debut. Stand-in manager perhaps, but he’s still calling the shots and has a line-up to decide on.

Manchester United latest manager news

16:00 , Karl Matchett

Want to have your say on who should take over as Manchester United manager?

Check out our poll right here and enter your answer.

Poll: Who will be the next permanent Manchester United manager?

15:45 , Karl Matchett

As the FA unveiled Gareth Southgate’s shiny new England contract on Monday, a thought drifted to Manchester United’s sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 24 hours earlier and the parallels between them. Both were former players for their team, hired on an interim basis to steady the ship after the turbulence of what came before; both won their first few games, earned the support of players and fans and forced the hierarchy’s hand. They had a similar body of work, too – Solskjaer completed two full seasons, Southgate two major tournaments – but their diverging fates can be traced right back to the start.

Lawrence Ostlere describes how England have shown Manchester United that having a plan and making calls which fit that strategy is the route to improvement.

How England and Gareth Southgate show Man United the value of having a plan

Manchester United latest manager news

15:30 , Karl Matchett

Pep Guardiola believes Mauricio Pochettino can be considered an elite manager without major trophy triumphs to his name.

Guardiola comes up against the former Tottenham boss as Manchester City host the Argentinian’s Paris St Germain side in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Pochettino has been linked with the new managerial vacancy at Manchester United but his only silverware as a boss came in the Coupe de France last season.

Guardiola said: “You can be a top manager and not win titles. The managers that have the chance to win the titles are at top, top clubs with good investments and exceptional players. Otherwise, for a manager, it is impossible to win.”

Pep Guardiola talks up ‘excellent’ Mauricio Pochettino despite lack of trophies

Villarreal vs Man United latest news

15:15 , Karl Matchett

A good turnaround from the United youngsters.

Villarreal vs Manchester United latest news

15:00 , Karl Matchett

Three hours until Michael Carrick takes charge of his first game as Man United boss. And indeed it could be the only one he takes charge of, if they move swiftly enough.

Team news, predictions, form, odds and everything else you need to know about the game right here.

Is Villarreal vs Man United on TV? Kick-off time and channel

5 reasons why Mauricio Pochettino would be a good fit at Manchester United

14:46 , Karl Matchett

A host of names have already been linked with the Red Devils but Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as favourite to become the club’s next permanent manager.

Here, the PA news agency looks at five reasons why the Paris St Germain boss would be a good fit at Old Trafford.

5 reasons why Mauricio Pochettino would be a good fit at Manchester United

Villarreal vs Man United latest news

14:29 , Karl Matchett

Ahead of the main event in the Champions League, the two clubs’ U19s are in action in the Uefa Youth League - the Spanish side lead at the break.

United’s [former] first-team defender Phil Jones is in attendance - not in the squad for tonight’s game of course - as well as backup goalkeeper Lee Grant.

PSG in contact with Zinedine Zidane as Manchester United consider Mauricio Pochettino

13:35 , Karl Matchett

Pochettino is on United’s wanted list and PSG have consequently kept dialogue open with a few top managers. They included Didier Deschamps, Conte – before he moved to Spurs – and Zidane.

Zidane has been wanted by United, but most view any move as impossible for a variety of reasons. His family don't want him to take a job in England, he would have to improve his English and – most of all – he would prefer to bide his time for a role with PSG or the French national team.

Miguel Delaney has the latest on Man United’s manager search and the knock-on effects it could have.

PSG in contact with Zinedine Zidane as Manchester United consider Mauricio Pochettino

Manchester United: Continuity caretaker Michael Carrick takes charge of club in need of sweeping change

13:15 , Karl Matchett

Solskjaer’s eventual exit was decided on quickly after Watford defeat - and that combined with the hope against hope among United officials that Solskjaer would be able to limp on until the end of the season, meant that there was no ready-made replacement to lead the team forward with an important Champions League trip to Villarreal in 72 hours’ time.

Through no fault of his own Carrick therefore occupies an awkward position, representing both a fresh start and the continuity candidate, but he is ready to step up nevertheless, writes Mark Critchley.

Caretaker Michael Carrick takes charge of club in need of sweeping change

Manchester United caretaker Carrick relishing the challenge

13:00 , Karl Matchett

Manchester United's caretaker manager Michael Carrick said he has limited time to make an impact in the role but is relishing the challenge ahead of Tuesday's Champions League group game at Villarreal.

United sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday after a run of five defeats in seven Premier League games left them eighth.

Former United player Carrick, who was a member of Solskjaer's coaching staff, is in charge until the club appoint an interim manager to lead the side through to the end of the season.

"To see Ole lose his job was tough for me and a lot of people at the club," Carrick told British media on Monday.

"It was a bit of a rush then to organise training and speak to the players and carry out the day's work. It's a limited time, I'm well aware of that, but it's a challenge that I'm relishing at the moment.

"(Villarreal) is a big game for both teams at this stage of the competition, and we can't hide from that. But it's one to go out and enjoy."

United are top of Group F with seven points from four games, level on points with LaLiga side Villarreal, who they beat 2-1 at Old Trafford in September.

Reuters

Gary Neville: Solskjaer sacking not surprising after ‘terrible’ Man United performances

12:45 , Karl Matchett

Gary Neville has suggested Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking should not come as a surprise, given Manchester United’s “terrible” performances in recent weeks.

“It’s been coming for the last few weeks, performances have been terrible and the results have been shocking,” the club legend said.

“You’re always hoping that the players would respond but it looked like they had the world on their shoulders... when a manager can’t get a performance out of his players and results are getting as bad as they are, then in this game, you’re going to lose your job.”

Watch Neville discuss his former team-mate’s departure here:

Watch: Gary Neville says Solskjaer sacking not a surprise after ‘terrible’ Man United performances

Zlatan Ibrahimovich says Man United 'talk too much about the past’

12:32 , Karl Matchett

Looking to a returning hero is something the club tried with Solskjaer, but perhaps hasn’t worked out for Man United. Zlatan feels that’s an ongoing culture within the Old Trafford club, telling the Guardian there are people at United focused on the past instead of the future.

“I had a great experience in England. Manchester United are an amazing club and we won a couple of trophies,” he said.

“[But] they talk too much about the past. When I went there I said: ‘I’m here to focus on the present and to make my own story.’

“But when you have too much it becomes like a loop. You have to think about the present or you should go to a hospital and clean your head.”

Ruben Amorim added to list of potential new Man United managers

12:17 , Karl Matchett

We know Pochettino is the main man in the frame. A host of others remain on the considered list, you’d expect, in case...well, in case Man United miss out on the Argentinian manager a third time for whatever reason.

The Telegraph report that Sporting CP head coach Ruben Amorim is one of those “put forward” as a “potential option” - though they also note Julen Lopetegui included in the same group of alternatives, with the Sevilla boss yesterday dismissing the notion as “absurd”.

Amorim is just 36 years of age - four years younger than current stand-in Michael Carrick - and has been managing since 2018. He started with second-tier side Casa Pia before moving to Braga B, Braga’s first team and then Sporting last year.

In that short time he has already won the Portugese League Cup, with Braga, and the League and League Cup double with his current club.

Man United Champions League hopes still resting on Cristiano Ronaldo’s shoulders

12:08 , Karl Matchett

How Man United could do with their No7 coming up trumps again tonight.

Cristiano Ronaldo has five goals in four games in the Champions League tonight and is of course the competition’s all-time top scorer.

He scored the last-minute equaliser in Atalanta, hit the late winner against the same opponent at home and struck a stoppage-time winner at home to Villarreal, too.

Can he do the same in Spain tonight?

Team news ahead of Villarreal vs Manchester United

12:00 , Karl Matchett

Manchester United look to bounce back after another humbling defeat with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked following the heavy loss at Watford.

That means Michael Carrick is in charge on an interim basis, with barely any time to make adjustments, as United look to negotiate their way into the last 16 of the Champions League.

Tied at the top of Group F with Villarreal on seven points and only two points clear of Atalanta, United must win to guarantee their place in the knock-out stages.

But only a dramatic finish from Cristiano Ronaldo sunk the Yellow Submarines at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture, meaning a tough test awaits at El Madrigal.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Villarreal vs Man United predicted line-ups and team news

Man United manager search latest news: PSG in contact with Zinedine Zidane as Red Devils consider Mauricio Pochettino

11:41 , Karl Matchett

Miguel Delaney brings us the latest news on the manager search, with Ligue 1 leaders PSG making the first potential move of this seemingly well-placed merry-go-round.

Paris Saint-Germain have been in contact with Zinedine Zidane and coaches including Antonio Conte in the last few months in preparation for the possibility of losing Mauricio Pochettino to Manchester United before the end of the season, the Independent’s Chief Football Writer tells us.

Pochettino, who was appointed by PSG in January, has leapt to the top of United’s list of targets following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after it was made clear to them that he would be interested in making the deal happen and soon.

More here:

PSG in contact with Zinedine Zidane as Manchester United consider Mauricio Pochettino

Erik ten Hag not keen on Manchester United job - reports

11:37 , Karl Matchett

Dutch media are speculating that Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is not particularly keen on the idea of a move to Old Trafford.

He is one of several names regularly mentioned in conjunction with the full-time post in the summer, if it takes that long to fill, but there’s no prospect of him joining earlier and potentially not at all.

That’s according to De Telegraaf, who says he - and director of football Marc Overmars - will both see out the season in Amsterdam.

They further report that Ten Hag sees the Man United job as a “graveyard” for managers on account of the number of high-profile bosses who have gone there of late and failed to really restore the club to the top of the game, given the debatable decision-making at the top of the hierarchy.

Stand-in Man United boss Michael Carrick discusses Villarreal match

10:36 , Karl Matchett

Carrick will lead United into the Estadio de la Ceramica tonight, his first game in charge - of how many, he does not yet know. So he’ll want to make the most of the opportunity and get United back to winning ways, either way. What lies in store for him with Villarreal?

“A very good team, that’s showed in the games that we’ve played them, two really close games. In the [Europa League] final, we just didn’t have that cutting edge. I thought we played pretty well for a lot of it, without probably having that edge to create enough chances,” Carrick said.

“They’re a good team, well organised, who can keep hold of the ball with nice connections throughout the pitch. They’re really well organised and not easy to play against but that’s proved when we managed to get a good result at home.

“It’ll be a tough game over there, it’s a big game for them as well as us. It’s all on the line, which is how we like it, we want to be playing in this, while you play here, because you want to play in the big games in Europe and that is certainly what we’ve got.”

Latest odds on next Manchester United manager

10:17 , Karl Matchett

Speculation has been fierce and immediate over who the new long-term manager at Manchester United will eventually be, with Mauricio Pochettino thought to head up the list of targets and with the PSG boss keen to take over at Old Trafford - even if it’s before the summer. Laurent Blanc, meanwhile, is one of the candidates to see out the 2021/22 season, the Independent has learned.

Other names including Brendan Rodgers, Zinedine Zidane and Erik ten Hag have all been regularly mentioned too, as well as a host of former players.

So who are the current favourites and what is the full list of odds for the next United boss?

The favourites to become next Manchester United manager

Carrick reveals he has spoken to Solskjaer in build-up to Villarreal match

10:07 , Karl Matchett

Michael Carrick might be in sole charge for now after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure, but he hasn’t stopped being in contact with his former boss - as he puts it, they remain friends and he had to speak to him to be able to move on with the job at hand.

“My first thought was speaking to Ole about it and he was fully supportive, as you’d expect, as he is, but it wasn’t something I just took for granted because, in some ways, it didn’t feel quite right - me being here and not having him around.

“But, of course, as I said before, football is a business and as a club, it’s the way it is. You’ve got to move on quickly. I spoke to Ole late last night [Sunday] anyway but in between that, I had to flip my focus and concentration into a new role and almost had to put my emotions aside the best that I could. Of course, it wasn’t easy but, at the same point, there was a job to do.

“I have a responsibility to the club, for the players, to pull everything together and prepare the team for a big game on Tuesday night. I did manage to speak to Ole again late last night, which was nice, and obviously we’re friends and that will never change. I’ll catch up with him some time soon again when we get back.”

Harry Maguire says Man United progress stopped over last two months

09:56 , Karl Matchett

Interesting comments from Man United captain Harry Maguire this morning, on the departure of former manager Solskjaer. He suggests that the past couple of months has been the issue, with the players needing to “take huge responsibility” for what has happened in that period.

“Yes of course, he’s been brilliant with me. He brought me to the club, made me captain, which is obviously a huge honour, a huge privilege, and I’ve had a great relationship with him over the last two or three years.

“We’ve had some great times. We’ve had ups, we’ve had downs but we’ve stuck together and we’ve moved forward. In the last two months, the progression hasn’t been there.

“We’ve stopped performing well enough individually so players obviously take huge responsibility. We feel we take the responsibility as much as the manager but it’s football and that’s what happens. Yeah, we’re so disappointed that we couldn’t do enough to change the results because the lads wanted to and have so much respect for him.”

Watch Michael Carrick’s first match in charge of Manchester United online and on TV

09:45 , Karl Matchett

No doubt there will be huge interest around Man United’s match tonight, even more so than usual as neutrals tune in to see whether the team offers a response to their embarrassing thrashing by Watford at the weekend.

The performance level, disorganisation and result all cost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his job - but can his assistant, the inexperienced Michael Carrick, turn things around in just a couple of days?

All the details you need to know on United’s team news, where to watch the match online and on TV and everything else surrounding the game is right here.

How to watch Villarreal vs Man United online and on TV today

Manchester United hoping to benefit from new manager bounce under caretaker Michael Carrick

09:23 , Karl Matchett

Michael Carrick takes charge of his first game as Manchester United’s caretaker boss with the club looking for a ‘new manager bounce’ after sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Watford was the end of the road for the popular Solskjaer, leaving United with only three wins in their last 11 games and conceding goals at an alarming rate.

Here, the PA news agency looks at how United’s managers since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement have fared in their early games.

Man United hoping to benefit from new manager bounce under Michael Carrick

Carrick ready to lead Man United for ‘however long it takes'

09:10 , Karl Matchett

Michael Carrick isn’t going to hide away from the fact he was part of the coaching staff which saw results took a downturn, and he’s hoping to make the most of his time in the hotseat - however many games it turns out to be for.

“My thought process is picking the team for tomorrow night, giving it my best. I know the boys very well, the staff very well, the club very well,” he said before tonight’s clash.

“This club’s been my life for an awful long time. It’s the sacrifice and dedication you’ve got to get and you’ve got to give.

“I’m prepared to do it for however long it takes, whether it’s one game, two games, whether it’s a little stretch longer than that, right now I’m not too sure, but that’s not something that’s on my mind. It’s about tomorrow.

“It’s a challenge, the initial reaction yesterday and coming to terms with the situation. But quite quickly you’ve got to focus, there’s a responsibility.

“I’ll just throw myself into doing everything I can, of course it’s a limited time, I’m well aware of that, it’s a challenge I’m relishing at the moment, I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’ve got great people working with me, a great group of players, they’ve proved that before and they’ll prove that again.”

Michael Carrick ahead of Manchester United’s Champions League clash with Villarreal (Manchester United via Getty Images)
Michael Carrick ahead of Manchester United’s Champions League clash with Villarreal (Manchester United via Getty Images)

How England and Southgate show Man United the value of having a plan

09:07 , Karl Matchett

An intriguing comparison here from Lawrence Ostlere, highlighting how just as one boss has signed a new deal after leading the team to higher highs than any seen in a generation, one has been disposed of after falling short.

Southgate and Solskjaer were appointed to England and Manchester United in similar circumstances, he writes, but only one fitted a broader strategy and suited the long-terms demands of the job.

How England and Gareth Southgate show Man United the value of having a plan

Manchester United’s caretaker Michael Carrick takes charge of club in need of sweeping change

08:50 , Karl Matchett

A new broom sweeps clean but it is not yet clear whether that will be the case for Manchester United’s caretaker manager, if that is indeed what we’re calling him.

Michael Carrick is the interim appointment before the interim appointment before the eventual appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s permanent successor at the end of the season. One of the biggest clubs in world football could conceivably be led by four different managers – Solskjaer included – in the space of six months. And that’s if this all goes to plan.

Mark Critchley explains how so much change is needed at Old Trafford that the current events and the convoluted, longer-term plan are actually necessary and perhaps the right way to go.

Caretaker Michael Carrick takes charge of club in need of sweeping change

Manchester United face Villarreal in Carrick’s first game

08:47 , Karl Matchett

Well, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s former assistant, Michael Carrick can’t exactly be pleased at how he is thrown into the hot seat, but this will mark his first match in sole charge of any club anywhere - and given it’s the Champions League, it’s not quite starting from the bottom, is it?

United did beat the Yellow Submarine earlier in the group stage, but it’s a tougher side to face at home than away with just one home defeat for Unai Emery’s side in LaLiga this season.

Here’s a run-down of what the former England midfielder is in line to face - as well as the rest of the Premier League teams in action this week.

A look at the English clubs’ opponents in Champions League this week

Manchester United manager search LIVE

08:28 , Karl Matchett

Good morning and welcome to the Independent’s coverage of the latest news surrounding Manchester United’s manager search, as well as the build-up to their first match since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked.

The Red Devils face Villarreal in the Champions League and Michael Carrick, former assistant to Solskjaer, is the man leading the team out this evening. That fixture kicks off at 5:45pm GMT, but before then there will remain plenty of speculation and news over who will be the longer-term replacement for Solskjaer - and perhaps on who the interim boss until the end of the season will be, too.

United took the unusual step of announcing that Carrick would take over on a short-term basis before an interim manager was appointed through to the end of 2021/22, at which point a new permanent boss would be announced as part of what may be something of an overhaul at the club across the summer.

We’ll bring you news and build-up across the day of all the goings-on at the Old Trafford club.