British journalist Andy Mitten, who follows Manchester United closely, among other things, talks about private events with then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He claims they have Solskjær’s plan
It’s been somewhat quiet about Solskjaer since he was not allowed to continue as Manchester United manager in the winter of 2021, but Mitten provides a unique detail from the Norwegian’s time as United manager.
When there was a travel ban during the Corona pandemic, journalists had to stay home when teams played in empty stands in European tournaments.
But Mitten, who has family in Barcelona, had the opportunity to travel and follow Manchester United’s away matches in Europe.
“what the hell?”
in Viaplay’s Premier League podcast Miten tells of several situations that arose between him and Solskjaer in the press rooms.
Among others, in 2020, when Manchester United played away to Basaksehir in Istanbul.
The guests won the group stage match in the Champions League 2-1, and in the press room after the end of the match, Metin stood alone with Solskjaer, who was surprised to find Metin in his place.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Solskjaer asked.
A confident Mitten, who knows his former Molde coach well, replied that he had been more productive than Solskjaer’s side who were off the field the same night.
It didn’t go down the road: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United lost 2-1 away to Turkey’s Basaksehir. Photo: Reuters/Murat Sezer/NTP
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– silly
The previous season, Solskjær’s students knocked out Paris Saint-Germain from the most prestigious club league in Europe.
It happened after the French giants won 2-0 at Old Trafford, before Manchester United won the second leg 3-1, after a late goal in extra time from Marcus Rashford. The Red Devils advance on the away goals rule.
This time too, Miten and Solskjaer met alone in the Paris press room.
He was “in the 100th,” says Mitten, because Manchester United had just beaten Paris Saint-Germain. On the other hand, Solskjaer was much calmer.
– But the most fun was in Rome. The stadium had a capacity of 80,000 people, but there was no one there. The press room was also empty. There might have been room for 500 journalists, Miten recalls, but it was only Solskjaer and me.
continued:
– Karen, the press manager, stood in the door, while Solskjaer looked around the empty room, and said: So, who has the first question? Hmmm… Andy?
– It was absurd, Mitten explains.
FOLLOW: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in action. Photo: PHIL MINGO/PPAUK/Shutterstock/NTB
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the future
Solskjaer was quiet for a long time after he was not allowed to continue as Manchester United manager again in November 2021.
Recently, however, the Norwegian has been featured in interviews, podcasts, and an event in Manchester.
He is still available on the market, but has been linked with several clubs since United’s exit.
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