A brutal five-minute meeting may have played a role in Manchester United's decision not to re-hire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager.
United have reached an agreement with former midfielder Michael Carrick to return to the club as interim manager, according to The Athletic.
Carrick, 44, is set to take charge at Old Trafford until the end of the season, having been out of work since his sacking by Championship side Middlesbrough at the conclusion of last season.
The ex-United star is set to revert back to a four-defender formation after previous boss Ruben Amorim used a 3-4-3 system.
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Carrick was heralded throughout his time at Boro for his ability to develop young talents - something which will come in useful in dealing with a number of inexperienced United players.
He took over at the Riverside Stadium in October 2022, and guided Boro from mid-table to the Championship play-offs.
The former Spurs midfielder was criticised towards the end of his spell in the north East over his lack of tactical flexibility, but some fans have the view that his style is more suited to better players.
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Carrick has done enough to see off Solskjaer, who also held talks with the United hierarchy, and seal the interim job.
Solskjaer was sacked as manager by United in November 2021, having spent almost three years in charge after originally being appointed as an interim to replace Jose Mourinho.
The Norwegian was upgraded to permanent manager in the summer of 2019, but a drop off in form in the final months of his reign ultimately cost him his job.
Solskjaer was called into a meeting with non-executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward following a 4-1 thrashing by Watford at Vicarage Road, where he was relieved of his duties.
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Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast in 2025, he revealed that the meeting lasted just five minutes.
"At half-time against Watford [when United were 2-0 down] I knew, that's it," he said.
"So the team talk was about, 'Whoever wants to play can play. Put your hand up if you don't want to play'. Made a few changes, couple of the lads were actually in tears. And they had a go.
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"After the game, I knew, but I didn't hear anything. But I still knew.
"The next morning you get a text: 'I want to see you in my office'. So I knew.
"I'd just left my missus at the airport and then text her, 'I think I'll be coming back with you'.
"I took about five minutes with Ed, and then stayed and spoke to some the lads, and did an interview, because I needed to do it properly."
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He is now set to miss out on a second opportunity at the job, having guided United to a second-placed Premier League finish and a Europa League final in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
But the fact he was sacked from the role may well have convinced United to focus attentions elsewhere.
Carrick is set to be joined at United by former England and Chelsea assistant Steve Holland, with ex-Middlesbrough first team coach Jonathan Woodgate also to be appointed at Old Trafford.
The 44-year-old will be able to focus solely on Premier League football, with United already knocked out of both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
Their 2-1 defeat to Brighton in the third round of the FA Cup, coupled with the first round defeat to League Two side Grimsby, means United will have the shortest possible season for a Premier League club at 40 matches.
Carrick did have three games in charge of United on a temporary basis after Solskjaer's sacking in November 2021.
He won two games and drew the other before being replaced by Ralf Rangnick, who took charge until the end of that season.
Topics: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United, Premier League, Football, Michael Carrick
Ryan Smart