MANCHESTER (VG) – I’ve never done this before, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on stage in front of several hundred spectators. Then he made a series of startling statements.
– We were The winnerslike hated loses. They had quite a few arguments, as they should, after bad matches. If I can actually handle things now, they will have their father, mother, or even an agent…”snowflakessnowflakesSnowflake, a term used for people who can’t handle much.». Not many of them survived in that dressing room (from Sir Alex’s time), Solskjaer said on stage.
And so the tone was set, even if he did not say directly that it was the United players of today he was referring to.
The Norwegian has returned to Manchester for the first time since losing his job as a United coach in November 2021. On Saturday he will return to Old Trafford, and on Friday night he was the focus of a major event centered around his stories from life as a United striker.
Over 400 paid tickets at the Mercure Hotel, VG was in attendance. He also hinted at the manner in which youngster Erling Braut introduced Haaland to United.
The Norwegian was met with stomping and cheering as he entered, and the results on the big screen sparked off chants of “Olé, olé, olé, olé”. Before he took to the stage, a signed photo of Solskjaer sold for more than NOK 25,000.
The 50-year-old was clearly still a defiant player through (if anyone doubted that), and said he had “a new job in him”.
Solskjaer is currently unemployed, but he revealed that French club Nice tried to hire him. He did not explain why he did not reach the French Riviera.
However, there is no doubt about what he thinks should be done with United.
The acquisition must be completed. Old Trafford has fallen into disrepair. The training facility (Carrington) has fallen into disrepair. We have to catch up, was the clear Norwegian message – and he seemed to support Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s attempt at the battle for possession.
Even though he’s out of a job now, he clearly wants to get back on the scene. But he says he won’t work just for the sake of work.
It has to be something special, a new club or a really exciting culture. Or maybe they want me back at United at some point, who knows?
It also talks about a rare act by old boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
– It’s the only time Sir Alex ever said sorry to me. He was filmed saying “You should always play with your best players” after Ronaldo started a match off the bench. Then he called me and apologised, because he knows how difficult (United’s job) is,” Solskjaer said from the stage.
The rest of the evening was a long drive down Memory Lane, before onlookers petted him on his way out after just over an hour in the chair. A chair, by the way, was then auctioned off.
Solskjaer will also be in the stands when Manchester United take on Wolverhampton at 4pm on Saturday. You can watch the match on Viaplay or Follow her on VG Live.
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