Jose Mourinho sacked: Steve Bruce should be next Man Utd boss… Solskjaer would be a joke, says Paul Ince

And the United legend has slammed the idea of hiring former Old Trafford striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as "absolute madness".

The Red Devils plan to bring in a caretaker manager until the end of the season following the shock axing of Mourinho.

Ince, 51, insists it must be someone who can demand respect and get the best out of the players.

He told Paddy Power: "If you’re picking someone for the caretaker manager, I believe they’ve got to have managed previously and have a deep understanding of what it means to be at Manchester United.

"It’s got to be someone who’ll galvanise the players, and someone who the players will respect. It seems there was a lack of respect from them under Mourinho.



"They have to have the character and presence to put demands on the players, at the minute they’re seemingly doing what they like. It has to be someone who understands what it takes to turn the club around.

"If it was me? I’d pick Steve Bruce today. He’s not working at the moment, and he had seven or eight years at the club. He’s been a very good, and successful manager and he more than many understands what it’s like to be a United player. Yes, he’s been sacked, but we’ve all been sacked before.

"Whether he wants to go as a caretaker manager, I don’t know. But I could genuinely see him coming in on a caretaker basis, turning United around and being offered a full-time contract. He’s got as good a chance as anyone of doing well at the club."

Solskjaer, 45, is reportedly the leading contender to become next United boss.

The Norwegian was sacked after eight-and-a-half-months in charge of Cardiff in 2014 and is currently manager of Molde.

Ince reckons Bruce, who was sacked from Aston Villa in October, is the obvious choice.

He said: "The suggestion of Ole Gunnar Solskjær makes me laugh, that has to be a joke. It’s absolute madness.

"He’d [Bruce] be the ideal selection to steady the ship until the end of the season. He’d be able to manage the players in no time. Between him and Solskjaer there’s no comparison.

"Plus, I’d love it to be someone English, and someone who United fans through the ages immediately recognise and say ‘I remember Steve Bruce, what a player he was.’


"The only other caretaker candidate I’d choose would be Roy Keane. He’d knock those players into shape in no time, he’s managed, and he’s familiar with the club."

SunSport revealed Mauricio Pochettino is United's top target – and the Tottenham boss refused to rule himself out of contention when asked today.

Ince would love to see the Argentine take the job but fears the fractious state of the club will put him off.

He said: "His brand of football is exactly what Man United need, and it would allow them to compete with the likes of Liverpool and Man City.

"It’s about keeping up with the Joneses, and he’d be able to change the way they play football so that we see the old United style again.

"The major issue with Pochettino is, realistically, will he even want to go to Man United? Will he not be thinking, I could hold on and go to Real Madrid or Barcelona?

"Let’s be honest, the club is in a mess. Whoever comes in is inheriting a wreck and it’s whether Pochettino would want that hassle."

United are sixth in the Premier League and Sunday's 3-1 thrashing at leaders Liverpool showed how far off they are from challenging for the title.

Ince completely backs the club's decision to axe Mourinho before Christmas.

He said: "If we’re being honest, this season has been a complete shambles. It’s been like a soap opera, and Man United have gone backwards. Jose Mourinho had to go.

"It’s surprising that they’ve done it so soon, though. I’d understand if they had someone else lined up and ready to appoint, but now they’re talking about a caretaker manager. If you haven’t got someone ready for the job, why sack Mourinho?

"It looks amateur. Manchester United being forced to get a caretaker manager in December looks completely weak and embarrassing.

"It’s a sign of the times of where the club is that they think sacking Jose with no replacement lined up is a good idea. Is it player power that’s forced this decision? I wouldn’t be surprised.

"Gone are the Sir Alex Ferguson times where a manager will last 25 years. Now, you’ll be lucky if they last three at United."

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