Ole Gunnar Solskjær will always have a place in the affections of Manchester United supporters for his last-gasp winner in the 1999 Champions League final in the treble-winning season, but he took over as permanent manager of the club maintaining that success in his present role would surpass anything he achieved as a player.
“People talk about a dream job – in my case this is literally that,” Solskjær said. “I have always visualised myself as a possible Manchester United manager. Maybe it was a naive dream but it has always been my ultimate one and now I’m here I feel so honoured and privileged.
“I don’t look back too much on what I achieved as a player, I always prefer to look forward, but obviously I enjoyed my time playing for United and I was quite successful. If I can leave here as a successful manager I’ll be happier still. I think bringing success in the form of trophies to this club and its supporters would count as an even bigger achievement.”
Solskjær is realistic enough to accept a top-four finish would be a satisfactory outcome this season – Champions League qualification was looking beyond José Mourinho – but said there was still a slim chance of a trophy. That can only mean winning the Champions League, even though Barcelona are United’s quarter-final opponents. “As long as we are in it we have a chance,” he said. “It will be tough but we have climbed mountains before. The short-term target has to be qualification for next season, though. We have improved greatly in three months and given ourselves a great chance of finishing fourth or even third.”
The manager, who has a three-year contract, confirmed there would be signings in the summer, that Mike Phelan and the rest of the coaching staff would be retained, and that he had spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson. He said: “It’s one of the first phone calls you make if you get this job … I know perfectly well that Manchester United need to be winning titles and I know we will be successful, but I can’t promise anything overnight. We need to keep improving step by step. I won’t be making any radical changes.”
22 Dec 2018 Cardiff 1-5 Man Utd (PL)
26 Dec Man Utd 3-1 Huddersfield (PL)
30 Dec Man Utd 4-1 Bournemouth (PL)
2 Jan 2019 Newcastle 0-2 Man Utd (PL)
5 Jan Man Utd 2-0 Reading (FA Cup R3)
13 Jan Tottenham 0-1 Man Utd (PL)
19 Jan Man Utd 2-1 Brighton (PL)
25 Jan Arsenal 1-3 Man Utd (FA Cup R4)
29 Jan Man Utd 2-2 Burnley (PL)
3 Feb Leicester 0-1 Man Utd (PL)
9 Feb Fulham 0-3 Man Utd (PL)
12 Feb Man Utd 0-2 PSG (CL L16 1st leg)
18 Feb Chelsea 0-2 Man Utd (FA Cup R5)
24 Feb Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool (PL)
27 Feb C Palace 1-3 Man Utd (PL)
2 Mar Man Utd 3-2 Southampton (PL)
6 Mar PSG 1-3 Man Utd (CL L16 2nd leg)
10 Mar Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd (PL)
16 Mar Wolves 2-1 Man Utd (FA Cup QF)
It appears the United hierarchy were not only impressed with Solskjær’s ability to win games – the victory at Tottenham counting heavily in his favour, even before the improbable comeback against Paris Saint-Germain – but also by his demeanour with the players and mature reaction to defeats. Though the Norwegian was confidently expected to put a smile back on people’s faces at Old Trafford, promote attacking football and project a positive image in press-conference and television interviews, the club has been pleasantly surprised by his ability to command respect from the players and restore a degree of discipline that was slipping away under Mourinho.
“Talking to him is just like talking to Sir Alex Ferguson or Rio Ferdinand,” one Old Trafford insider said admiringly. “He’s been around the club so long he speaks Manchester United; you never need to explain anything to him.”
Despite Solskjær’s evident popularity the club is still understood to be looking for a director of football to work alongside him, particularly with regard to player recruitment and development, with an appointment possible before next season. Mourinho was vehemently opposed to any such delegation of responsibility. A club that has just appointed its fourth permanent manager since Ferguson stepped down six years ago now feels it might be prudent to appoint someone with a longer-term perspective to provide continuity and monitor the progress of players below first-team level.
Asked whether he felt proud, Solskjær replied that it was too soon to say. “I’m happy to be here because it’s what I’ve always wanted to do. As a striker you always have to be an optimist and I hoped things would work out. I’m not sure proud is the right word though, because we are only at the beginning of something new, the hard work starts here. I want Manchester United to be the hardest-working team in the league and among the fittest. The players know my expectations.”