Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted that one of his fellow club legends “deserves more credit” after the impact he had at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been out of management since 2021 after he was sacked as Manchester United head coach.
The 51-year-old arrived in the Old Trafford dugout in 2018 after Jose Mourinho was sacked, with Solskjaer taking up his duties as caretaker manager.
However, Solskjaer’s appointment to the United hot seat was made permanent in 2019 after a scintillating run during his caretaker spell at the Premier League club.
The United legend oversaw some success at the Red Devils, including finishing second in the Premier League table in the 2020-21 campaign.
However, Solskjaer failed to capture major silverware as United boss after the Red Devils suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Villarreal in the Europa League final.
The former United star’s run as a manager came to an end in the 2021-22 season, with current head coach Erik ten Hag succeeding Solskjaer permanently in 2022.
Solskjaer made ‘sensible’ decision with Man Utd legend
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was able to reinforce his Manchester United squad for the 2021-22 season before he was axed from Old Trafford.
United splashed out a hefty £73m fee to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund and Raphael Varane was snapped up from Real Madrid in a deal worth £42m.
However, the Red Devils were also able to bring club legend Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford as part of a blockbuster transfer.
Cristiano Ronaldo had been linked with Manchester City at the time and United swooped in to sign the five-time Ballon d’Or winner ahead of their rivals.
Solskjaer, who played alongside Ronaldo at United, insisted that the Premier League club made the right decision to re-sign the Red Devils and Real Madrid legend.
“We never wanted him to go to City,” he told FourFourTwo magazine.
“We’d had four wins and a draw, and were top of the league in September 2021.
“Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho joined, then we made that next step by signing Cristiano.
“It felt right. It didn’t turn out right, but it was the sensible thing to do at the time. He was available and still top level.”
Solskjaer feels Ronaldo deserves more credit
Ronaldo made his mark in his first season back at Old Trafford after the Red Devils signed him for a £12.8m fee from Serie A side Juventus.
The 39-year-old Portuguese forward scored an impressive 18 times in 30 Premier League appearances in the 2021-22 season, despite Solskjaer’s sacking from United.
However, Ronaldo endured a high-profile fallout with Solskjaer’s long-term successor and there was no love lost for United boss Erik ten Hag.
The Portugal captain launched a scathing criticism of Ten Hag – among many other topics – during his explosive interview with Piers Morgan in 2022.
Ronaldo’s contract was later terminated by mutual agreement and the United legend went on to sign for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
Solskjaer, who staunchly defended Ronaldo’s time at Old Trafford, praised the Al Nassr star and believes he was still “looking strong” for United on his second debut.
“He made his second debut against Newcastle and that was one of the most electric days at Old Trafford ever – he scored two goals,” he continued.
“He deserved that chance to come back. He got 24 goals in that first season. He deserves more credit than what he’s got.
“He was still one of the best goalscorers in the world, he was looking strong for us.”