Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has detailed what he dislikes the most about modern football.
Since being dismissed as Manchester United manager back in the winter of 2021, following a run of dismal results including a 5-0 defeat to Liverpool and an embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Watford at Craven Cottage, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been out of work.
The Norwegian had a promising first few seasons at United, which included a third and second-place finish and a Europa League final but the Red Devils lost on penalties to Unai Emery’s Villarreal.
It seems Solskjaer has received offers to make a return to management but has turned them down and remains without a club.
Solskjaer’s frustration
The Norwegian was never given credit for all of the things he did for the club on and, more pertinently, off the pitch. Alejandro Garnacho was brought into the club during Solskjaer’s reign at the club in 2020.
United played great football under Solskjaer during the Norwegian’s time at the club and one vital signing made by the former Red Devils forward was Bruno Fernandes.
The Red Devils negotiated with Sporting Lisbon throughout January 2020 and eventually brought the forward in.
Speaking in India at a fan meet-up, the Norwegian has spoken about what frustrates him about modern football and Solskjaer’s answer hints at why he brought Fernandes in.
According to X user @arnxvhanna who was there reporting on it, Solskjaer reportedly does not like the fact that coaches tell players exactly what to do.
The Norwegian believes that creative players, in particular, have to make decisions for themselves and players cannot be programmed by a manager.
This is sums up Fernandes rather well and it is little surprise that Solskjaer brought in the Portuguese midfielder.
Solskjaer’s style of play
Towards the end of the Norergian’s time at the club, fans were critical of the Norwegian’s perceived lack of plans and reliance on ‘individual quality’ and these fans wanted a more rigid tactical manager at the helm.
It’s fair to say that the attacking football has not got much better since Solskjaer’s departure, in fact it has declined. During the 2020/2021 season, Solskjaer’s final full season, the Red Devils netted 73 goals in 38 games.
Compare this to Erik ten Hag’s first full season at the club, United netted just 58 times and has, at times, struggled in attack.
Solskjaer was not a perfect manager but he had two brilliant seasons and his time at Old Trafford would be more fondly remembered had he won the Europa League in 2021.
READ MORE: Join the conversation with the United in Focus Whatsapp group
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
