It is six years since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed as Manchester United manager on a permanent basis. Let’s revisit how it all went.
It was on March 28 2019 that Manchester United decided to hire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on a permanent basis.
Solskjaer had taken charge in December 2018 on an interim basis, replacing Jose Mourinho. His start was so successful that United felt a compelling case to hire him permanently mid-season.
The Norwegian enjoyed an eventful spell in charge of the club, in charge until his sacking in 2021. Let’s take a full look back at his tenure.
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Man Utd hire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2018
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was hired as an emergency interim manager in December 2018 after Jose Mourinho was fired.
Solskjaer stated at the time: “Manchester United is in my heart and it’s brilliant to be coming back in this role.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the very talented squad we have, the staff and everyone at the club.”
Mourinho’s dour football and poor results was immediately shown up by Solskjaer in his opening game, as his new look United beat Cardiff City 5-1.
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Solskjaer’s role as interim manager was remarkable, he embarked on an eight-game winning streak in the Premier League and FA Cup, drawing the ninth.
He enjoyed 74 per cent win rate in total as interim boss before being appointed on a permanent basis.
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PSG win and Ole’s at the wheel
The shining moment of Solskjaer’s interim spell came when Manchester United won 3-1 away at Paris Saint-Germain to win a Champions League knockout tie.
United had lost 2-0 in the first leg at Old Trafford, with Paul Pogba picking up a suspension that ruled him out of the second leg in Paris.
Solskjaer’s makeshift midfield of Fred, Scott McTominay and Andreas Pereira shocked the world, with United recording a stunning away victory. Romelu Lukaku scored twice, before Marcus Rashford’s stoppage time penalty sent United through on away goals.
Rio Ferdinand famously declared on BT Sport: “Man United might not thank me, but get the contract out, put it on the table, let him sign it, let him write whatever numbers he wants to put on there, given what he’s done since he’s come in.
“Ole’s at the wheel, man! He’s doing it. He’s doing his thing. Man United are back!”
Ed Woodward handed Solskjaer a permanent contract three weeks later.
Paris Saint-Germain v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg
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2018/19 season ends with a whimper
After being named as permanent manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer felt a reality check as the club’s form trailed off badly.
United won only two of the final 10 games of the season, including six defeats.
If the Champions League defeat to Barcelona was expected, the chastening nature of the 4-0 loss to Everton really rammed home how much work needed to be done.
2019 transfer window heralds fresh start
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first transfer window as Manchester United manager saw him focus on buying British based players.
United signed Dan James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire, three players who played a key role in his set up.
Maguire was immediately made captain and United beat Chelsea 4-0 at Old Trafford to kick off the new season.
United’s results afterwards were inconsistent but not awful, a middle ground between the start to his interim spell and the end of 2018/19.
It was clear something was missing from his team, especially with Paul Pogba missing months with an injury. After losing the Carabao Cup semi-final to City, the decision was made to spend big money on Bruno Fernandes.
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Bruno Fernandes signs, but United miss out on Haaland
Bruno Fernandes settled in immediately at United and brought a dose of creativity and personality to Solskjaer’s side. He was a clear upgrade on Andreas Pereira.
During this period, Solskjaer had been pushing United to sign striker Erling Haaland from Red Bull Salzburg.
Borussia Dortmund won the race and United’s response was to sign Odion Ighalo on an emergency loan, an almost laughable back-up plan.
Solskjaer’s United were picking up form, however, capped with a stirring 2-0 win over City at Old Trafford with goals from Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay, before worldwide chaos struck.
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The lockdown surge to third place
Amid the Covid lockdown, Manchester United returned to action boosted by the new-look partnership of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes in midfield.
Solskjaer’s young attack of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood started scoring goals for fun, with the Frenchman even netting a hat-trick.
United went unbeaten in the final nine league games of the season to jump from fifth place to third and claim a Champions League spot.
It was not all good news, with United losing two more semi-finals, beaten by Chelsea in the FA Cup and Sevilla in the Europa League.
Manchester United New Signing Donny van de Beek
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2020/21 season begins with total disaster
After qualifying for the Champions League, United fans had high transfer market expectations, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was totally let down by an inept recruitment strategy.
United had only signed Donny van de Beek by time the new season started, and kicked off with a 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace.
A 6-1 loss at home to Tottenham was even more shambolic, and sparked panic deadline day moves for Alex Telles, Facundo Pellistri, and a quite impressive free agent move for Edinson Cavani.
Solskjaer hits top of the league
Manchester United rallied back after that nightmare start and reached the top of the Premier League in January 2021, courtesy of a 1-0 win away at Burnley.
But just as fans were dreaming of a title challenge, the team’s form stumbled with a 1-0 home loss to Sheffield United.
There was a strong response the following month with a stunning 9-0 win against Southampton.
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Anti-Glazer protests, and second place
With the league coming to a crescendo, the Glazers decided to throw their weight behind the disastrous European Super League project.
Manchester United fans seized on the chance to unleash two decades of frustrations against the Glazers with furious protests. With supporters forcing access to Old Trafford, the game against Liverpool was postponed, making headline news around the world.
The Glazers backed down and apologised in a rare statement, while shambolic chief executive Ed Woodward handed in his resignation for the end of the calendar year.
United finished the season in second place, the joint-best of any manager in the post-Ferguson era.
Despite this impressive placing, a title bid did not really come into play, with United finishing eight points behind City.
Villarreal CF v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League Final
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Europa League Final defeat
Manchester United’s late season focus was on the Europa League Final, and hopes were high after Edinson Cavani inspired a 8-5 aggregate semi-final win over Roma.
After being beaten in various semi-finals, Solskjaer had got over the hump, and United were favourites against Villarreal.
The final in Gdansk was set up to be the crowning achievement of the Solskjaer project, but it all went horribly wrong.
United drew the Final 1-1 with a tepid performance, before losing on penalties. David de Gea conceded all of his spot-kicks before missing his own.
Solskjaer was left to reflect on his selection decisions and wonder where it all went wrong.
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Solskjaer handed new contract and backed in the market
Manchester United decided to double-down on the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer project, and handed the manager a new contract.
In July 2021, Solskjaer signed a new deal to 2024 with an option to extend to 2025.
He was backed in the market with a move for Jadon Sancho, although on reflection, money would have been better spent on a midfielder.
United showed they were gearing up for a title bid by signing Raphael Varane from Real Madrid.
Varane was unveiled in mid-August as Manchester United thrashed Leeds 5-1. It was a sensational performance with goals from Mason Greenwood, Fred, and a hat-trick from Bruno Fernandes, sparked by four assists from Paul Pogba.
Little did we know at the time, there was an even bigger move to come.
Manchester United Training Session
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Cristiano Ronaldo re-signs for Manchester United
Panicked amid the news of Cristiano Ronaldo’s sudden availability from Juventus and the prospect of him signing for City, Manchester United moved to hijack the deal.
Ronaldo signing for United was greeted by huge excitement, with Solskjaer included.
He said at the time: “You run out of words to describe Cristiano. He is not only a marvelous player, but also a great human being… I have no doubt that he will continue to amaze us all and his experience will be so vital for the younger players in the squad.”
Ronaldo’s second return provided a spectacular second debut with a 4-1 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford.
But his second game was a 2-1 loss at Young Boys, and the cracks immediately showed with a substituted Ronaldo accused of acting like a player-manager from the bench.
Memorable Old Trafford winners from Ronaldo against Villarreal and Atalanta followed, but the team’s form failed to match the super-high expectation the superstar’s return had generated.
Solskjaer later reflected that bringing Ronaldo back to the club was probably a mistake.
Watford v Manchester United - Premier League
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United form dips and Solskjaer is sacked
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was fired in November 2021 after a disastrous run of form that saw United win only once in seven games.
These matches included a 2-0 defeat at home to City, a 5-0 hammering at Old Trafford against Liverpool, and a 4-1 loss away at Watford.
The Watford defeat was the final straw and showed the Solskjaer project had gone off the rails.
He was officially dismissed 24 hours later, giving an emotional interview after his sacking to MUTV, showing his passion for the club.
United have learned a lot since Solskjaer’s exit – including not to hurry into appointing an interim boss midway through their spell.
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