The Premier League club appeared to make the announcement by mistake on their website on Tuesday evening, but the page was later deleted.

Solskjaer, 45, scored 126 goals for United in 11 seasons at Old Trafford.

The former Norway international will succeed Jose Mourinho, who was sacked on Tuesday, and will have ex-United coach Mike Phelan as his assistant.

Solskjaer manages Norwegian side Molde but their 2018 season has finished for the winter and does not restart until March.

United briefly posted a video on their official website on Tuesday which featured Solskjaer scoring the winner in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 1999. It was captioned: "Solskjaer becomes our interim manager, 20 seasons after clinching the Treble with THAT goal at Camp Nou..."

Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg welcomed Solskjaer's appointment on social media, writing: "Great day for Norwegian football. Good luck keeping control of the Red Devils." She later deleted the tweet.

Solskjaer's first game in charge of United could be against Cardiff City on Saturday - he was relegated from the Premier League with the Bluebirds during an eight-month spell as manager in 2014.

He is in his second spell as Molde manager and signed a new contract earlier this month.

United, who are sixth in the Premier League, will look to appoint a permanent boss at the end of the season.