Manchester United have failed to replicate the glory years of Sir Alex Ferguson over the last decade, with some managers finding their footing far better than others at Old Trafford
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly told his staff that “this lot will get me sacked” when referring to his squad during his spell as Manchester United manager. The 52-year-old had enjoyed a storied playing career at Old Trafford from 1996 to 2007, bagging six Premier League crowns, two FA Cups and a Champions League.
However, his stint as manager between 2018 and 2021 proved far less successful by comparison. Solskjaer returned to the Theatre of Dreams with ambitions of recreating Sir Alex Ferguson’s golden era, having previously managed Molde on two occasions alongside a brief spell at Cardiff City.
While David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho had all struggled to bring silverware back to Manchester United following Ferguson’s retirement of 2013, Solskjaer backed himself to succeed at the club where he had become a legend. His debut campaign yielded a sixth-place Premier League finish, though the Norwegian managed to steer the club to third position the next season.
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United then fell short of the title to local rivals Manchester City in 2020/21, whilst also reaching the Europa League final only to lose on penalties to Villarreal. Despite showing improvement on the tenures of Moyes and Van Gaal, United ultimately decided to sever ties with Solskjaer in November 2021 after a dismal beginning to his fourth campaign at the helm.
The board opted to bring in Michael Carrick as interim boss before Ralf Rangnick assumed control from December until season’s end reports the Manchester Evening News. Yet, if Solskjaer’s remarks before his dismissal were any indication, the Norwegian appeared to anticipate his fate.
According to the Daily Mail, the former striker had repeatedly told staff about his squad: “This lot will get me sacked,” whilst also branding certain ex-players as ‘snowflakes’ during a meal following his departure. Particular tensions allegedly arose with the likes of Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba, both of whom experienced turbulent spells with the Premier League heavyweights.
It comes despite Solskjaer dismissing any suggestions of friction with Pogba in January 2021. According to 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: “So talented. On his day he was unplayable.”
Erik ten Hag assumed control at the Red Devils following Rangnick’s exit in May 2022, enduring just two years at the helm before being succeeded by Ruben Amorim last November. While the Portuguese manager oversaw United’s poorest-ever Premier League campaign since the competition began, securing 15th place last term, the current season has provided much-needed optimism for the most part.
Up next for United is a trip to Villa Park come Sunday, December 21 to face Unai Emery and a high-flying Aston Villa.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
