MANCHESTER UNITED are searching for a new manager following today's departure of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer - with Steve Bruce being tipped as a surprise potential candidate in an interim role.

Michael Carrick has been appointed as caretaker boss, and is set to be in control for Tuesday's Champions League game against Villarreal.

The Manchester United hierarchy have suggested they will then to look to appoint an interim boss until the end of the season, at which point they will then look to name a more permanent boss.

A number of candidates will be considered for the interim role, with pundit and former England international Sol Campbell suggesting Bruce would be perfect for the position.

Bruce, who spent almost all of his playing career at Manchester United, was removed from his position as Newcastle boss earlier this month, with the Magpies struggling in the Premier League relegation zone.

In an interview with Premier League Productions, Campbell said: "I think it's a sticky situation really. Do they stick or move? If they move it's costing a lot of money.

"To move Ole on and to bring someone in, it's a lot of money. I know they've got a lot of money to spend but you've got to look at the books and you've got to look at where they are.

"Maybe is a Steve Bruce good? For just six months? I don't know. Who knows?

"But it's a real kind of sticky wicket big time, because either they stick or move. Whatever they do, it might be the wrong answer."