Manchester United fans have a lot to say about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the former manager expressed his interest in a comeback.
When Manchester United sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021, it brought to an end a rollercoaster tenure under the popular Norwegian.
Solskjaer began as Manchester United interim boss in late 2018, answering an SOS after Jose Mourinho was sacked by the board.
He came agonisingly close to winning the Europa League in 2021, losing the final on penalties to Villarreal. Critics pointed out that United should have won the game before the shootout.
Solskjaer expressed no regrets about bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to the club months later, although many believe this accelerated his exit during a miserable 2021/22 campaign.
What Solskjaer has said about United return
Amid a very poor start to the season for Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has expressed his own willingness to return to the dugout at Old Trafford, if needed.
Solskjaer was quoted: “I don’t like to talk about other manager’s jobs, but yes. Of course, I would!”
McKenna and Carrick missing
Manchester United finished second in the Premier League under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a creditable placing in light of the dismal eighth place last season.
Could Solskjaer get United back on an upwards trajectory, and bring a bit of happiness back to an increasingly unhappy fanbase?
Manchester United fans have been pointing out that Solskjaer’s task this time around would be a lot harder, as he would be missing two key elements of his coaching staff.
Michael Carrick is currently the manager of Middlesbrough, while Kieran McKenna is in the Premier League with Ipswich Town after guiding them to back-to-back promotions.
One United supporter posted: “Without McKenna and Carrick who are both in managerial jobs at the moment. Bringing Ole back is pointless.”
Another fan wrote: “Ole without McKenna and Carrick don’t joke with that one.”
And another supporter questioned: “As romantic as this would be, United fans perhaps undervalue Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick’s tactical influence during Ole’s tenure. Would it be the same without them?”
One worried fan said: “It was never about OGS. Carrick and McKenna were running the training drills.OGS with no backroom staff? Are you nuts?”
A fearful supporter added: “Surely everyone realises Mckenna and Carrick were the brains behind the operation. Bringing Ole back without them two will give us Cardiff V2.”
And another added: “We are not re signing Ole lmao and he would fail without Carrick and McKenna.”
Improved Ineos structure helps next manager
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be a backwards step for Manchester United, although of course you cannot question his willingness to help if called upon.
Being without both Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick would make his task immeasurably harder and he would have to find two high calibre replacements. First time around both were appointed under Jose Mourinho.
It’s quite possible any new manager would inherit newly appointed coaches Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake, if Ten Hag went.
Ten Hag’s eventual successor will benefit from the improved structure in terms of scouting, transfer operations and management behind the scenes, put into place by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos.
You can rightly wonder what might have been possible had Solskjaer had that level of support during his tenure managing the club. He explained for instance how the board twice ignore his recommendation to sign Erling Haaland.
But that does not mean United should run it back, and take Solskjaer up on his well-meaning desire to return if needed. It will be time to try something new instead.
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