Roy Keane was lined up for a sensational return to Manchester United if Michael Carrick had never got the job.

Old Trafford chiefs interviewed Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the interim job when Ruben Amorim was sacked in January.

And it can now be revealed the Norwegian's potential choice for his No2 was former United captain Keane.

Ultimately, it was Carrick who persuaded United's chiefs to give him the job and he led the team to third spot in the Premier League to secure the role permanently.

Had Solskjaer and Keane been at the helm, we will never know what would have happened but the prospect of the Irishman being back at the club would have been box office.

Keane won seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League in a 12-year spell.

He had an acrimonious exit from United back in November 2005 and never returned in an official capacity.

Keane managed Sunderland and Ipswich but also worked alongside Martin O'Neill at Ireland and Nottingham Forest and under Paul Lambert at Aston Villa.

When Solskjaer was in charge at United between 2018 and 2021, with Mike Phelan his no 2, he remained close with Keane.

At the time, Solskjaer said: "I keep in touch with Roy and have been at his house for a cup of tea."

"I always listen to Roy and his opinions. I value them very highly."

"I know Roy did an interview saying there are many people that claim to be his friends."

"But I feel we are quite close. We have become friends. He was a fantastic leader. I loved having him as captain."

Solskjaer has been out of work since leaving Besiktas in 2025 but is unlikely to get another crack at the job if Carrick is sacked.

Carrick has been given a stay of execution despite United dropping to 16th in the Prem and winless in their last eight games in all competitions.

Chiefs were planning to sack him but could not decide on a replacement, with Carrick still in charge for Saturday's trip to Chelsea.

Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann are both among the names under consideration if United make a change.

Howe has been doing due diligence on United should he get an offer. Newcastle would be due around £3million in compensation under the terms of his exit in the summer.

Man Utd ratings vs Bournemouth

Manchester United hit a new low for the season, if that's possible, with the 3-0 loss to Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick stuck Bruno Fernandes on the bench, supposedly for football reasons only, and kept him there for the whole game.

So how did those who did play get on, and were there any shining lights on another stormy afternoon in Manchester?

Find out how Katherine Walsh rated and slated United's flops right here.

Nagelsmann, sacked by Germany after the World Cup, has previously worked with director of recruitment Christopher Vivell.

But director of football Jason Wilcox outranks Vivell, who has felt marginalised at Old Trafford this season.