Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has denied demanding a long-term contract during discussions with Manchester United in January 2026. In a TV2 interview conducted on 31 October and reported by VnExpress, he said the conversation concerned his views on the club and never approached a formal agreement.
Michael Carrick remains United's manager. Solskjaer's comments support his former assistant rather than announce fresh negotiations or an imminent appointment.
Revisiting the interim decision
Following Ruben Amorim's departure on 5 January, both men were considered for an interim role until the end of the season. Solskjaer said he praised Carrick's ability when speaking to the leadership and was willing to help if required.
He rejected reports that his contractual demands were higher. According to his account, the discussion with Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada did not cover contract duration and involved no demands. Those remarks explain a past contact, not a new staffing decision.
A hypothetical future role
VnExpress notes that Solskjaer left United in 2021 and later spent eight months at Beşiktaş in 2025. He now lives in Kristiansund and helps the local FCK senior and youth teams, while remaining interested in elite football at the right time.
His reference to helping United for two months came in a hypothetical scenario in which Carrick succeeds for many years before leaving. It expresses attachment to the club without establishing that a return is being arranged now.
The interview leaves his next career move open. For United, Solskjaer backs Carrick to address the existing challenges; any future appointment would require a separate, concrete development.