Manchester United has confirmed the timeline for their interim manager! Solskjær is expected to earn a seven-figure sum, while a joint appointment with Carrick has been rejected.

Solskjær is likely to resume his managerial role at Manchester United shortly, actively negotiating with the club and emerging as the top contender for the interim head coach position after Rúben Amorim’s firing. Competing against him are his ex-colleague and assistant Carrick, along with the acting manager Darren Fletcher.

Manchester United has decided to appoint an interim manager before May and will choose a permanent head coach during the summer, when the selection pool will be broader. After the World Cup, many national team coaches may leave their posts, and several club managers’ contracts will expire, offering the chance to hire a top coach on a free transfer.

Solskjær is the favorite candidate for the official interim manager role due to his appealing attitude to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group. According to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Solskjær, known for his diplomacy and communication skills, told Manchester United during talks: "Money is not an issue, contract terms don’t matter, duration and salary are irrelevant—I just want to help Manchester United; I want to come back."

Of course, Solskjær’s salary at Manchester United will certainly be substantial. Norwegian news outlet Nettavisen reported that his agent Solbakken has agreed on a contract with Manchester United offering a weekly wage between £50,000 and £60,000. The contract length depends on the start date but is expected to last 18 to 20 weeks. This means Solskjær could earn around £1 million by managing United for half a year.

Manchester United’s Premier League season ends with an away match against Brighton on May 24, while the FA Cup final is scheduled earlier, on May 16. Therefore, the new manager will lead the team through 17 Premier League matches and potentially up to five FA Cup games.

According to British media, if Manchester United secures a Champions League spot, Solskjær would receive a handsome bonus ranging from £3 million to £4 million. In other words, if his second tenure at United goes well, his total earnings could reach £5 million.

Fans accustomed to Manchester United’s lavish spending might consider this a bargain, but such earnings are already quite generous among Premier League managers. Data shows that Chelsea’s newly appointed head coach Liam Rosenior earns £4 million annually, while Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Fulham’s Marco Silva—both rumored candidates for United—earn similar amounts.

Only eight managers earn more than £4 million per year. Besides top coaches like Guardiola, Arteta, and Slot, there are others such as Tottenham’s Thomas Frank (£8 million) and relegation-threatened West Ham’s Nuno Espírito Santo (£4.5 million). Brentford’s highly ranked manager, Thomas Frank, earns just £1.3 million annually.

While coaching Besiktas in the Turkish Super Lig, Solskjær earned €3.6 million annually (about £3.125 million). Therefore, if this Manchester United legend returns to Old Trafford, his salary will definitely remain competitive, since United’s so-called "low pay" is considered high elsewhere.

"Athletic" once suggested that Manchester United could consider a joint interim management by Solskjær and Carrick. However, The Sun reported that this is unlikely to happen; although they have worked together before, ultimately only one will return.

Both Solskjær and Carrick are in the UK but have personal matters to attend to this week, which has delayed negotiations. It is believed that United’s top management is not rushing to make a final decision. Both candidates spoke with club executives on Tuesday, but CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox plan to meet them in person before deciding.

Although Fletcher’s first match in charge did not defeat Premier League second-to-last Burnley, he only had two days to prepare. Sky Sports reported that United’s leadership was impressed with his work, both in media appearances and training at Carrington. He provided one-on-one coaching to £85 million striker Sheshko, showing him video analysis of positioning and improvement suggestions; Sheshko then scored twice for United for the first time.

Now, Fletcher must lead the team to a home victory against Brighton on Sunday to keep Manchester United’s only remaining title hopes alive. After that, the club will need to choose between Solskjær and Carrick.

Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett stated that it is unlikely a new manager will be appointed before United’s Sunday match against Brighton, as the club has no plans for urgent negotiations. The Guardian reported that a planned Thursday meeting with Solskjær and Carrick was postponed to after Friday.