Ole Gunnar Solskaer had a topsy-turvy tenure at Manchester United’s helm. While he was a hero during his time as the Red Devils’ frontman - particularly during the late 1990s - he was unable to sustain a promising start to life in the hot seat. Though he managed to keep the dressing room relatively at peace, performances on the pitch left a lot to be desired in his third and final season.
After 168 games in charge at Old Trafford, he was inevitably shown the door in November 2021. At the time, he was marked down as just another name on the long list of managers who failed to restore the club to its former glory. But to say his reign was a total write-off would be to overlook its quieter successes. He secured a second and third place finish in the Premier League, as well as having instilled an attractive brand of football at times.
Perhaps his greatest legacy, however, was leaving with his dignity still intact - a feat that eluded more combustible predecessors like Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal. Even more quietly, he also showed a sharp eye for talent, spotting a then-15-year-old who has since blossomed into stardom. Had the club taken his advice back then, they might’ve landed a diamond before the rest of the world caught on.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Wanted To Sign Rayan Cherki in 2019
The Lyon attacking midfielder is now on the brink of joining Man City
Rayan Cherki in action for Lyon
Scouting is one of the toughest gigs in football. Trying to predict whether a teenager will hit their peak is as much a gamble as it is a skill and science. But when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tipped the Red Devils to sign a 15-year-old Rayan Cherki back in 2019, the club probably should have paid heed, considering his market value has soared to £37 million (€45m) since then.
Cherki, who recently scored and assisted on his France debut (watch his goal below), was already seen as a standout in his age group when Solskjaer spotted his potential. According to the Daily Mail, United had the prodigy on their radar, as did heavyweights Real Madrid, Juventus, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich. Fast forward six years, and Cherki remains a Lyon player - at least until local rivals Manchester City move to snap him up officially, stealing a march on their neighbours.
It’s baffling that it’s taken a top European club this long to prize Cherki away from Lyon, but the wait may finally be over. The Frenchman recently expressed his excitement about linking up with Pep Guardiola’s winning machine, with Man City now looking increasingly likely to land him for a modest fee in the region of £30 million.
Had the Red Devils taken a leap of faith when he was still a teenager, his career path might have played out very differently. But instead, it's City who look set to reap the rewards. In Cherki, they may have secured themselves a natural heir to Kevin De Bruyne - a creative force who, despite being just 21, has already tallied 29 goals and 45 assists in 185 appearances for Lyon.