Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed he flew into Birmingham today to hold "informal" talks with Aston Villa.
Villans owner Randy Lerner flew into Kristiansund, Norway, on Thursday night to talk to Solskjaer about the vacant managerial role at Villa Park.
Solskjaer told Romsdals Budstikke on Friday: "I can confirm that I have spoken to Aston Villa. There were no negotiations, but an informal chat.
"Villa also have other candidates they want to talk to. I wanted to show them the respect as one of the big clubs of the Premier League."
Solskjaer is currently overseeing his second season as coach of Molde, after he guided them to their first ever title in his debut season as a manager in 2011.
SOLSKJAER STARTS THE COMEBACK AGAINST VILLA FOR UNITED IN 2002
The Norwegian was reserve team manager of Manchester United for three-and-a-half-years after he ended his 11-year playing career with the club in 2007.
The 39-year-old signed for the Reds from Molde in 1996 for a bargain £1.5m and went on to win six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and scored the winner in the club's 1999 Champions League final triumph.
He was rated at 12/1 in the aftermath of McLeish's dismissal on Monday, but has now emerged as favourite ahead of Norwich City boss Paul Lambert.
Enjoy his progression from baby-faced assassin to baby-faced tactician in our gallery...