Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lead candidate to take over as Man Utd boss from Jose Mourinho

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is the new leading contender to take temporary charge of Manchester United following Jose Mourinho's dismissal, according to reports.

Having overlooked No.2 Michael Carrick, academy chief Nicky Butt and Wales boss Ryan Giggs, United are looking to outsource for a caretaker manager and understand the Norwegian is in the frame.

A figure with links to the club is among the requirements and they come no more emotionally attached than Solskjaer, whose stoppage-time winner in the 1999 Champions League final was the outstanding highlight of his 11-year spell with the club.

Currently coaching in his second spell with Molde in his homeland, the 45-year-old does have limited managerial experience.

If appointed this week his first game as United boss would come against Cardiff City, whom he managed for eight months in the only other senior coaching position of his career.

After being appointed in January 2014 he was unable to prevent the Bluesbirds being relegated from the Premier League.

And just seven games into the following campaign in the Championship he was dismissed in what was a significant knock to his burgeoning reputation.

A year later he returned to Molde but is yet to add to the two league titles he scooped in his first spell.

Having finished fifth in his first full campaign at the helm, Solskjaer has guided Molde to successive second place finishes in the league behind champions Rosenborg.

That consistency was rewarded with a new contract until 2021, which was announced at the start of December.

Molde have refused to comment on reports Solskjaer will be appointed by United in the next 48 hours but the club are running out of time if they want the former striker in place before the weekend.

The Aker Stadion side are not in action again until March when their 2019 fixtures begins, leaving Solskjaer free to take charge while United search for a long-term coach.

But both sides would need to negotiate terms for the final three months of the English season when the two campaigns crossover.

However, it does appear that the man who scored 126 goals in 366 appearances is destined for a return to the Theatre of Dreams.

Former France and Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc is the bookmakers' favourite to be installed as the temporary boss for the rest of the season.

United plan to wait until the end of the campaign to appoint a permanent successor to Mourinho, who was dismissed on Tuesday after two-and-a-half years in charge.

He led United to their worst start to a term for 28 years which sees them 19 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after 17 matches.

Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino and ex-Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane are leading candidates for the long-term position at Old Trafford.