In his first proper interview since leaving Manchester United, club legend and ex-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has shed light on his time as head coach, what the dressing room was like, wantaway players, transfer window mistakes and more.
Speaking in an exclusive with United We Stand editor and journalist for The Athletic, Andy Mitten, the former Man United striker turned boss broke his silence on a number of issues after having been let go by the club in November 2021 following a poor run of results.
In contrast, the treble-lifting centre-forward earned the full-time manager’s position after an incredible start in an interim role, managing 14 wins in his first 19 games and fans were more than happy to see him come on board permanently.
But this form didn’t last forever despite finishing second the next year, making it to multiple semis and a Europa League final, United‘s league form began to suffer and it became clear other issues around the club had arisen. Now, according to the Norwegian, there was a fair few that played their part.
In the extensive sit-down with the lifelong Red, the 50-year-old revealed that in the nearly two years since his sacking, he’s had a lot of time to reflect on his tenure as manager and that despite enjoying coaching at youth level, he does miss the professional game and has received offers from Saudi Arabia.
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Regarding Old Trafford itself, he believes that his time there may have gone in another direction if one moment had gone differently. “Well, there’s something missing: a trophy”, said Solskjær; “One penalty could have changed that losing in the shootout against Villarreal in the Europa League final] and my time there would be viewed differently.”
Nevertheless, Ole insisted that he still did plenty good there — finishing in the top three twice, second behind a magnificent Man City side in 20/21 and bringing in some big signings — and that his remit from the start was simply to “get fans smiling again”, adding that he and the team “had something going”.
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However, he suggested that as many fans still believe to this day, the return of Cristiano Ronaldo was a “very difficult decision to turn down” and despite feeling that yes was the right choice, “it turned out wrong” and definitely factored into his eventual downfall.
The ‘baby-faced assassin’ went on to reveal that he also knew he was going to be sacked at half-time in the 4-1 defeat to Watford and apparently told his players as much, detailing how received a text from Ed Woodward the following morning asking to see him in his office.
His relationship with Woodward and the rest of the board was another aspect he touched upon, revealing that he simply couldn’t buy the players he wanted to after agreeing to sign “three main ones” every season when he accepted the job.
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“We couldn’t buy the players I mentioned to the club… Erling Haaland, before he made his Salzburg debut. Declan Rice, who wouldn’t have cost what he did in the summer. We discussed Moises Caicedo, but we felt we needed players ready for there and then…
“We wanted Jude Bellingham badly — he’s a Man United player, but I respect he chose Dortmund. That was probably sensible. But it’s why I respect Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Dan James and Jadon. Young players prepared to come into a team that wasn’t 100 per cent there like it was when I arrived.”
The retired marksman also added, “I would have signed [Harry] Kane every day of the week and my understanding was that he wanted to come” but confirmed that “the club didn’t have the budget with the financial constraints from Covid-19, there was no bottomless pit.”
As for the players that he did sign, he cited Bruno Fernandes as his best and most impactful but admitted that it “hasn’t worked out” with Jadon Sancho and that “we’re still yet to see the best from him”.
He also went on to reveal that some members of the squad “weren’t as good as their own perception of themselves” and although he wouldn’t name names, he said he was “very disappointed when a couple turned down the chance to be captain.”
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Some even said they “wouldn’t play or train because they wanted to force their way out”, which he says is something that would never happen in his day, labelling it “a disease of modern football”. We’ll leave it up to the fans to speculate on which individuals he was referring to.
Ole also cleared up some media rumours about United’s dressing room culture and how he treated some players, assuring that they were “complete lies” and that he “had a solid, honest relationship with most of them”.
He didn’t blame everything on the players and limited transfer business, of course, stating that there was an element of “tiredness” and that because the fixtures and training “demanded a lot” it resulted in a lot of injuries.
Solskjær concluded by saying, “Let’s hope Erik is successful and if there is a cycle [at the club], that he breaks it. Someone is going to do it.”
Featured Image — Manchester United/Cristiano Ronaldo (via Instagram)
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Sky Sports criticised for ‘disrespectful’ treatment of Rúben Amorim after Man United v Ipswich Town
Danny Jones
Sky Sports have been criticised for what some fans have labelled ‘disrespectful’ behaviour towards the new Manchester United boss, Rúben Amorim, during his first post-match interview on the job.
Fans got their first look at Ruben’s Reds on Sunday evening as they travelled to Portman Road for an away match against newly promoted Ipswich Town, only managing to muster a 1-1 draw despite an early goal less than two minutes after kick-off.
The travelling fans will no doubt have felt like they were in dreamland in those opening moments but as the game went on it was clear that this is just the start of what is likely to be a very long process.
Speaking with the Sky Sports presenting panel immediately after the game, one of Amorim’s answers is cut somewhat short Ed Sheeran, of all people, interrupts the interview. A humourous off-the-cuff moment for plenty watching, certainly, but many have called it simply “disrespectful”.
I’m honestly a bit aghast at how rude that was from Ed Sheeran. Amorim should have told them all to get fucked pic.twitter.com/Hjm0VWovdF
It's not an overreaction to say this was incredibly disrespectful by Ed Sheeran. Wait for the interview to finish. Don't care what your standing is in society or who you think you are, have respect & courtesy.
If he wasn't before, Ruben Amorim is very aware of the circus he has… https://t.co/VCwiozieOZ
As you can see, while many took issue more specifically with the popstar and Ipswich fan for inserting himself into the situation mid-question, some were also left criticising Sky themselves for allowing the musician to somewhat derail the discussion with the fledgling Man United manager.
Not only is Ed Sheeran a lifelong Tractor Boy, but he also happens to own a minority stake in the club and his album artwork features on the current kits, so they will no doubt have been more than keen to hear what he had to say.
Regardless, the interruption proved somewhat fruitless in the end as the singer himself said, “He [Amorim] doesn’t want to talk to me” and the 33-year-old ultimately walked off without contributing anything to the conversation other than adding: “I love being back in the Premier League.”
Meanwhile, the 39-year-old United head coach can be seen with his head down throughout the random moment and could only shake his head in confirmation and reply, “No, I don’t want to [talk to him]”.
One fan wrote online: “[As] soon as Ed Sheeran rudely interrupted Amorim’s interview, he should have just put the mic down and walked off. Would’ve made a big statement to the media.”
Definitely the most entitled thing I’ve seen, imagine Jamie Redknapp walking on stage mid concert 😂
Despite laughing off the interjection and continuing with the questions Sheeran departs, Amorim looked already visibly exasperated with the media commitments if he wasn’t already, telling Sky Sports host Kelly Cates, “This week I spoke more than in four years of Sporting.”
Amorim will have to get used to the circus that is English football as this is just the tip of the iceberg – especially when it comes to taking a job as big as the one at Manchester United.
What do you think: were Ed Sheeran and/or Sky Sports rude and disrespectful to Amorim, or is this just a bit of a storm in a teacup?
United take on Bodø/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday in just Amorim’s second match, but for now you can watch the highlights of his debut in the dugout down below.
A Salford community centre is hosting a special Christmas-themed pro wrestling show
Danny Jones
A local community centre in Salford is hosting a Christmas-themed pro wrestling show this festive period and it might just be one of the coolest-sounding fundraisers we’ve heard in a while.
Do sleigh bells and body slams go together? Well, we’re going to find out.
Hosting the special seasonal edition of PinFall Wrestling, the local sports entertainment group based out of Salford Gymnastic Centre, beloved local organisation The Rec will be helping put on a whole evening of fighting action from their 20ft wrestling ring.
Scheduled to get underway on Saturday, 14 December, a whole slew of UK wrestling talent will be competing in PinFall’s Christmas Chaos 2024.
Managed by the Salford Involved Cooperative, a non-profit enterprise that helps fund places like The Rec, nearby gyms and other important community outlets,
Promising “turkey, tinsel and takedowns”, the star-studded roster includes ITV’s World of Wrestling stars Sheikh El Sham and Martin Kirby, plus fan favourites like Commander Sterling.
Better yet, as well as many other familiar faces to those immersed in the British wrestling scene, the event will also feature talent from the Top Rope Wrestling Academy (TRWA), all of which will be making their PinFall debut.
Christmas Chaos takes place at The Rec on Camp Street in Salford (M7 1ZT), just five minutes or so outside of Manchester city centre, with doors opening from 2:30pm.
Adult admission is only a tenner and children aged 15 and under go even cheaper at just £6. Tickets are available HERE and you can even spring for early access through VIP passes if you’re feeling fancy.
Once again, all the funds raised through ticket sales go straight back into the centre and towards organising other community events throughout the year.
The Rec is based in East Salford, which has eight out of its 13 neighbourhoods listed as the lowest 10% on the country’s index of multiple deprivation.
They offer a wide range of support services throughout the week that help tackle the effects of poverty in the area including recovery support for those struggling with addiction, refugee and asylum seeker classes, sports, youth activities, food banks and more.
As well as ticketed events like these, they regularly hold free community fun days such as their annual Easter event and Christmas present drive, which saw over 250 presents handed out to locals in 2023.
Working with multiple regional and national organisations such as Greater Manchester Police, the NHS, National Lottery, Sports England, Children in Need, The Mustard Tree and more, the importance of the work done at The Rec cannot be overstated.
More importantly, places like this need constant support directly from the communities that they serve, especially during difficult times like the one we are facing right now. So, if you fancy helping the much-loved Salford community centre and watching some festive wrestling shenanigans, see you there.