Manchester United have held advanced talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to replace Jose Mourinho as manager.
The club want to appoint a stand-in for the rest of the season before the weekend, with a view to re-assess their managerial position in the summer, and a key requirement is someone who understands the club culture after the perceived divisions fostered under Mourinho.
As a club legend Solskjaer fits the mould, and it is understood the players are expected to be told he will be their next manager on Tuesday night.
Many of them at the same time feel that coach and former Michael Carrick could be a good stand-in option as he is hugely popular among the players.
The former midfielder will naturally be kept on if Solskjaer is appointed, but Mike Phelan will return to the club in an assistant role. He left when Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, and sources say that the Scot has been actively consulted throughout the process of replacing Mourinho.
If a deal is agreed, United will activate a clause in Solskjaer's contract with current club Molde.
Laurent Blanc is seen as a contender, but is understood to have had reservations about a short-term role.
