By WILL PICKWORTH, SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 07:18 EST, 28 November 2025 | Updated: 07:18 EST, 28 November 2025
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has opened up one particular amusing interaction he had with then-Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti during his time in charge of Man United.
Solskjaer, 52, spent just under three years as manager of the Red Devils after previously earning legendary status at the club given his exploits as a player over an 11-year period.
During his tenure, Solskjaer led United to a third and second place finish in his two full seasons in charge, while he won 91 of his 168 matches in the dugout, although he was never able to lift a trophy.
Looking back, Solskjaer oversaw one of the better periods in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era at Old Trafford, but he was sacked in November 2021 with United seventh in the top flight after the pressure had ramped up following a dismal run of form.
And when reflecting on his tenure in an interview with BBC Sport, Solskjaer highlighted a particular interaction with Ancelotti as an example of the noise that comes with managing a club like United.
'I remember one game against Everton,' he began. 'I was stood there in my technical area. Carlo Ancelotti comes across so he's more or less in my technical area.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opened up on an interaction he had with Carlo Ancelotti during his time in charge of Man United (pictured Solskjaer and Ancelotti during a game in December 2020)
Solskjaer spent just under three years in charge of United but he was sacked in November 2021
'The fourth official says "Carlo you need to get back into your technical area unless you want Ole's job?" And he said "no, no, no, too much pressure. That job is too much pressure".
'You know pressure is a privilege, he's always said that as well, and I felt privileged to be the manager of Man United.
'But of course, you're the face of everyone and everything surrounding Man United.'
Despite the scrutiny Solskjaer faced, the Norwegian appeared to have no regrets about his time in United's dugout - and even appeared to admit his dismissal was justified.
'That pressure is a privilege because I was allowed to do that and I was allowed to deal with it in my way,' he added.
'That was by having great staff around us, and the environment in and around the club was very positive.
'But in the end you need results. Unfortunately we had a very bad six-week spell and that's too long at a club like Man United.'
United legend Solskjaer recounted the incident with Ancelotti in an interview with BBC Sport
Given United's struggles since Solskjaer's departure, with the Red Devils finishing in the top five just once in the past four seasons, the 52-year-old was then pressed on whether he feels he doesn't get enough credit for the job he did.
'It's not about getting the credit,' he replied. 'It was the worst time to be Man United manager. You had Jurgen Klopp with his Liverpool team, and Pep Guardiola with his Man City team.
'They were the best managers in the world at the time and probably the two best teams in world. But we got second and third.
'So, with the staff, we had something going but we couldn't take the next step. '