Bola.net – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a strong candidate to lead Manchester United until the end of this season. The coach’s return raises questions about the fate of the players he once coached.
Solskjaer previously became caretaker manager in December 2018 and managed to get the permanent position the following March. However, his term ended in November 2021 without a title.
Since leaving United, he has only coached Besiktas for eight months until August 2025.
Currently, six players are still in the United squad and two others are on loan. These players were once under Solskjaer’s direction, so the potential for a reunion would be interesting to watch.
Their future is now in the spotlight, especially with the opportunity for Solskjaer to return as interim coach. The following are possible scenarios for each player.
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1. Luke Shaw
Bek Manchester United, Luke Shaw (c) AP Photo/Dave Shopland
Shaw is United’s longest serving player and one that predates the first Solskjaer era. He is now 30 years old and will enter the final year of his contract in the summer.
Shaw now plays as a left centre-back, no longer the wing-back who made his name famous. His injury-plagued career made it difficult for United to get the £30 million they bought him from Southampton in 2014.
The advantage if Shaw leaves is more about reducing the salary burden. United have not yet announced clear plans, but he has the opportunity to complete his contract if he can enjoy the remainder of the season under Solskjaer.
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2. Diogo Dalot
Manchester United players Diogo Dalot, Matheus Cunha, and Lisandro Martinez celebrate victory in the Premier League match against Newcastle, Saturday, December 27, 2025. (c) AP Photo/Dave Thompson
Dalot was loaned to AC Milan while Solskjaer was still in charge, before making more than 200 appearances for United. The 26-year-old all-rounder is facing pressure due to his recent form.
The contract is valid until 2028, so future evaluations could come sooner. If his performance does not improve, Dalot risks being sold in the summer transfer window.
Long-term interest comes from Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich. Dalot’s value could fall if his contract is not extended, and United are reluctant to increase wages at the moment.
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3. Harry Maguire
Bek Manchester United, Harry Maguire (c) Premier League Official
Maguire was bought in 2019 when Solskjaer was still in charge of United. He was once the world’s most expensive defender and is now in the career stabilization stage.
His contract expires this season, and he has been out since November with a thigh injury. Maguire has the opportunity to renew his contract with a lower salary and shorter duration because he will be 33 years old.
Talks about a new contract have been a priority since November. United hope to find an agreement before the end of the season.
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4. Bruno Fernandes
Alex Jimenez tries to snatch the ball from Bruno Fernandes’ feet in the Manchester United vs Bournemouth match (c) AP Photo/Jon Super
Fernandes’ contract enters its final year in 2026. He rejected interest from Saudi Arabia last season, but speculation about his future remains high.
As captain, Fernandes has been very influential since joining in January 2020. United must weigh between maximizing his creative performance or taking advantage of his transfer value.
If used optimally, Fernandes can still be a key player. But realistically, the club might take advantage of the last chance to get a good sale fee.
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5. Amad Diallo
Amad Diallo’s expression after breaking into Manchester United’s goal, Tuesday (16/12/2025) (c) AP Photo/Jon Super
Amad was initially an alternative to the better-known Jadon Sancho, who United failed to recruit from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2020. He arrived as a teenager from Atalanta in January 2021, six months before United finally got Sancho, and was only used eight times by Solskjaer, including twice as a starter.
However, Amad’s long-term career at Old Trafford turns out to have better prospects than Sancho. Last season was a breakthrough moment for the Ivorian, who then signed a long-term contract in January last year.
With a contract valid until 2030, at that time he is expected to be at the peak of his career at the age of 28. If he returns to working with Solskjaer over the next few months, Amad could take on a much more important role than before.
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6. Tom Heaton
Heaton became United’s third goalkeeper a few months before Solskjaer was sacked and rarely played. He then appeared several times in the Rangnick and Ten Hag era.
His contract expires this summer when he turns 40. Much depends on personal intentions, but retirement looks increasingly possible.
If he doesn’t retire, United could use him as a mentor for active goalkeepers. However, ending a career altogether seems more realistic at this stage.
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7. Marcus Rashford
Barcelona striker, Marcus Rashford (c) AP Photo/Manu Reino
Solskjaer is the coach where Rashford played and scored the most goals in his career at United. Now, he is on loan at Barcelona after previously being at Aston Villa.
The chances of Rashford returning to United, where he spent his entire previous career, look very slim. He is looking to make his loan spell at Barcelona permanent, with 7 goals and 11 assists so far.
Rejoining Solskjaer might be nice for Rashford, but Solskjaer’s status as caretaker coach until the end of the season does not allow that. The interruption of his loan spell goes against Rashford’s plans.
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8. Jadon Sancho
Sancho was once considered a long-term target for United. However, after being loaned to Aston Villa, his opportunities to play for United were almost non-existent.
He rarely even plays at Villa itself, so United may have to look for a new solution for him in the summer. Sancho’s contract is running out, and United have little incentive to keep him.
Sancho is expected to embark on a new challenge in the summer, leaving Old Trafford permanently. It marked the end of Sancho’s era with the club he once hoped to build around him.
Source: Team Talk
