Manchester United have struggled to relive the glory years of Sir Alex Ferguson over the last decade, with some managers faring far better than others in the Old Trafford hot seat
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer speaks to the media
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken about his time at Manchester United
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly told staff "this lot will get me sacked" about his players during his Manchester United managerial term.
The 52-year-old enjoyed a legendary playing career with the Reds between 1996 and 2007 which saw him clinch six Premier League titles, a pair of FA Cups and a Champions League. But his return as head coach between 2018 and 2021 was lacklustre in comparison.
Solskjaer arrived at Old Trafford with hopes of replicating Sir Alex Ferguson's glory years having already took charge of Molde twice on top of a short-lived tenure at Cardiff City. And while David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho had failed to restore glory to Manchester United in the years following Ferguson's retirement of 2013, Solskjaer certainly fancied his chances at the club he became a footballing icon with.
A sixth-place finish in the Premier League ensued during his maiden season at the helm, before the Norwegian successfully guided the club to a third-place spot the following year. United then missed out on the title to bitter rivals Manchester City in 2020/21, also making the Europa League final only to suffer a penalty shootout loss to Villarreal.
Despite improved performances compared to Moyes and Van Gaal, United ultimately made the decision to part ways with Solskjaer in November 2021 following a poor start to his fourth season in charge of the team, appointing Michael Carrick as a caretaker manager before Ralf Rangnick took the reins from December to season's end.
However, if Solskjaer's comments prior to his sacking were anything to go off, then the head coach foresaw what was coming. As per the Daily Mail, the former striker had told staff of his players on more than one occasion: "This lot will get me sacked," while also labelling some of his former players as 'snowflakes' at a dinner some time after his exit.
Issues in particular reportedly came with the likes of Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba, each of whom endured rocky roads of their own with the Premier League giants. That's despite Solskjaer rubbishing any reports that he ever had a problem with Pogba in January 2021.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer struggled to turn the tide with the Reds
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As per The Guardian, he said: "My job is to be open and honest with him. I’ve never had a problem with him. I talk openly and directly with Paul.
"I’m not going to tell anyone what my advice to him is but I have always had a good relationship with him. He comes from a great family, he’s a very sensible boy and he knows what I’m talking about when we speak.
“He’s up front and honest with me too. And what people don’t see with Paul is even when he isn’t playing, he’s contributed loads in the background.
"Sometimes he’s even acted as the interpreter between me and different players – even when he isn’t playing. He always respects my decisions and we’ve always had a very good working relationship."
Meanwhile, Solskjaer told The Overlap of Martial earlier this year of Martial: "So talented. On his day he was unplayable."
Ruben Amorim looks on
Ruben Amorim has endured contrasting fortunes with United
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Erik ten Hag took up tenure with the Reds in the wake of Rangnick's departure in May 2022, lasting just two years at the club before he was replaced by Ruben Amorim last November. While the Portuguese tactician guided united to their worst-ever Premier League finish since the league's inception last term, finishing in 15th, the new season has been a breath of fresh air for the most part.
United played Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Monday, and were handed a major boost in that Bryan Mbeumo and Amad were available for selection after coming to an agreement with the Cameroon and Ivory Coast national teams respectively, given that the players were supposed to jet off to Morocco for AFCON.