The latest Manchester United news has revived interest in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United tenure. United’s current five-match unbeaten run and their climb to seventh place in the Premier League have encouraged supporters to rethink how they judge Solskjaer’s time in charge.
A Changing Mood at Old Trafford
United now sit only two points behind third-placed Chelsea, creating an atmosphere of renewed optimism. Yet many forget that Solskjaer previously guided United to second place, delivering their strongest league goal tally since Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season.
Although his exit was painful, people within the club believe the public narrative around him has grown unfair.
“He is absolutely far better than many people give him credit for,” said a source who observed him closely.
Solskjaer Revived a Demoralised Club
After Jose Mourinho’s departure in December 2018, Ed Woodward asked Solskjaer to bring energy back to the squad. Solskjaer reconnected instantly. His first actions at Carrington were warm, personal, and genuine. Staff described emotional moments, including his heartfelt greeting for receptionist Kath Phipps and his surprise appearance at the Christmas party.
A former colleague explained: “An optimist to the limit. He sees good in everything.”
Small gestures from Solskjaer lifted the environment. The training ground shifted from tense to welcoming, and staff felt valued again.
Restoring Standards and Identity
Solskjaer reintroduced habits that echoed successful eras without trying to recreate the past. Dress codes changed. Access to shared areas widened. The atmosphere became cohesive. His early results reflected that shift. United produced 14 wins from 17 games, including a historic Champions League comeback in Paris sealed by Marcus Rashford’s dramatic penalty.
The club responded by appointing Solskjaer permanently.
The Debate Over His Appointment
While some fans claim United acted too quickly, internal voices disagree. “People spoke about his philosophy, but training was led by Kieran,” one insider said. “He was brilliant at man-managing the players.”
Solskjaer delivered back-to-back top-three finishes, something no United manager achieved after Ferguson. He also reached multiple semi-finals, though trophies remained elusive.
An insider admitted the pressure: “It was like an albatross he carried.”
Still, the club kept faith and extended his contract in 2021.
Ronaldo’s Return Complicated the System
Solskjaer embraced Cristiano Ronaldo’s return, expecting his mentality to inspire others. The squad felt excited as well. However, the tactical structure shifted.
“The system had to change, which is fine to accommodate a big player, but Ole couldn’t make it work,” said a dressing-room source.
United lost rhythm. A run of damaging defeats, including the heavy Liverpool loss and the collapse at Watford, sealed Solskjaer’s fate. Some figures inside the club believed the final judgement came too fast.
“That game was a mess,” the source said. “He never did lose the dressing room.”
Could He Have Sparked the Same Turnaround?
After Solskjaer’s exit, Michael Carrick and Ralf Rangnick stabilised the squad. Yet no one can determine whether Solskjaer might have fixed things with more time.
What has become increasingly clear is that his tenure, when viewed without emotion, delivered more progress than many recall. His cultural reset, man-management, and league finishes now appear far stronger than the narrative often suggests.
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