Next Manchester United manager: What Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said about being Old Trafford boss

The Norwegian, a club legend after his glittering spell as a player at Old Trafford, is set to return as caretaker boss after Jose Mourinho was sacked

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to be appointed as Manchester United's interim manager - even if for him it's very much ahead of schedule.

The Norwegian, a club legend after his glittering spell as a player at Old Trafford, is set to return as caretaker boss after Jose Mourinho was sacked on Tuesday morning after two-and-a-half years in Manchester.

Solskjaer will be joined by former assistant Mike Phelan with current coach Michael Carrick staying on as the club ponder their options for a long-term successor for the Portuguese.

The 45-year-old learned a great deal from Sir Alex Ferguson in his playing days and he will be using every last bit of knowledge from the legendary Scot when he finally takes the reins, some seven years earlier than planned.

"I am not ashamed of saying that if I enjoy management and that invitation came in 15 years time I would say yes," he said ahead of his return to his homeland in 2010. "Everyone who has played for Manchester United dreams about it. Me, Ryan Giggs, Bryan Robson, Mark Hughes.

"More than anything, the last few years have shown me you need experience and you need to be the best to be the manager of Manchester United.

"How the gaffer has handled the club and managed it is a fantastic example to anyone.

"He is the encyclopedia of how to manage and I do daydream about what might happen in 15 or 20 years time when I have the experience."

Solskjaer left when Ferguson retired, and sources say that the Scot has been actively consulted throughout the process of replacing Mourinho.

When a deal is agreed, United will activate a clause in Solskjaer's contract with current club Molde.

Former United defender Laurent Blanc was seen as a contender too, but is understood to have had reservations about a short-term role.