Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reflected on his two-year tenure in the Manchester United dugout.
The club legend was relieved of his duties in November 2021 following a 4-1 defeat to Watford – a fifth loss in seven matches for the Red Devils. At the time of his departure, United were seventh-placed in the Premier League.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom though, and Solskjaer certainly did bring the United faithful some sunshine when the skies were grey over Old Trafford; knocking Paris Saint-Germain out of the Champions League at the Parc des Princes after Marcus Rashford’s stoppage-time penalty, doing the league double over rivals Manchester City, signing now-club captain Bruno Fernandes and seeing him make an instant impact, as well as orchestrating a prolific partnership between Rashford and Anthony Martial.
Given the fond memories that supporters held of Solskjaer from his playing days, him guiding the club to a trophy would’ve been incredibly sentimental, perhaps just too good to be true.
Solskjaer content with his time in the dugout
Speaking to Andy Mitten through The National, the Norweigan coach assured that amidst the chaos and ups and downs of his managerial reign, he felt accomplished when the time came for him to bid farewell.
“We were unbeaten away from home for 29 games. It’s not easy to do that. We went to places like Man City and beat them. We didn’t win the league but trust me, to finish second and third with the squad I had was an achievement,” he said.
“I didn’t win a trophy at Man United, and I know that matters. I was a penalty kick away from winning one against Villarreal [in the Europa League final]. But I fulfilled my initial remit at United. Got people smiling again. Get the team winning. Lay down the foundations for good performances against all teams. And I did that.”
