Neville Backs Ancelotti as United's Next Boss; Fletcher to Lead Brighton Clash

Ruben Amorim's tenure at Manchester United has ended in acrimony, and now the search for a permanent successor begins in earnest. The former Sporting boss departed Old Trafford after a torrid 14-month spell marked by dire performances and a stubborn refusal to deviate from his tactical blueprint.

Darren Fletcher, the academy chief who stepped into the breach, earned a respectable 2-2 draw against Burnley in midweek and will continue his caretaker duties for Sunday's FA Cup encounter with Brighton. Beyond that, the club appears poised to bring in either Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Michael Carrick to oversee operations until the permanent appointment is finalised.

However, journalist David Ornstein has suggested Fletcher's involvement might extend further. Speaking to NBC Sports, Ornstein indicated that Fletcher could still be in the dugout for the Manchester derby, though nothing is certain at this stage.

When it comes to the permanent role, Gary Neville has finally committed to a position. The United legend believes Carlo Ancelotti ticks every conceivable box: media savvy, proven success with world-class talent, Premier League nous, and an innate understanding of the United way. Ancelotti's availability might hinge on Brazil's World Cup trajectory, potentially delaying his arrival until late July should they reach the final.

"You have got to be pretty special to tick all four of those boxes, and as such, the outstanding candidate for me would be Carlo Ancelotti," Neville told The Overlap. He added that no other candidate comes close to satisfying every requirement, whilst lamenting that a meeting with Ancelotti in 2013 came to nothing when the Italian opted for Real Madrid instead.

Beyond Ancelotti, Neville's shortlist includes Thomas Tuchel and Eddie Howe. Both men possess intimate knowledge of English football and European pedigree, with Howe recently adding a major trophy to his CV. Tuchel's CV is particularly glittering—Champions League, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1 titles, plus a Champions League final appearance with PSG. Though he's experimented with three-man defences, Tuchel has demonstrated sufficient tactical flexibility to operate within the United framework, as evidenced by his England work with a conventional back four.