Solskjaer’s Potential Return to Manchester United: A Reflection on His Tenure

omidbasir- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure at Manchester United concluded on a disappointing note, as he was dismissed following a significant defeat to Watford—a result that exacerbated a troubled start to the 2021-22 season.

However, Solskjaer maintains a deep affection for Manchester United, nearly three decades after first joining as a player in 1996. Recent reports from Fabrizio Romano on his YouTube channel indicate that Solskjaer would be “more than open” to a return to Old Trafford in a caretaker capacity should the opportunity arise.

At this time, no formal communication has occurred between Solskjaer and the club, but it is understood that he remains receptive to the idea of stepping back into the managerial role. His initial appointment as interim manager in December 2018 came after the club’s previous hierarchy dismissed Jose Mourinho, marking the start of a tenure that ultimately lasted almost three years.

While some United fans lamented the lack of tangible success during Solskjaer’s management, which lasted from December 2018 to November 2021, he did demonstrate a level of consistency that surpassed that of his two permanent successors. In his two complete seasons at the helm, he achieved third and second-place finishes in the Premier League, progressed to the semi-finals or better in five cup competitions, and helped elevate the performances of players like Marcus Rashford and Antony Martial. His win percentage of 54.2% was slightly lower than Erik ten Hag’s 54.7%, yet it was achieved over a significantly larger number of matches and was superior to that of both David Moyes (52.9%) and Louis van Gaal (52.4%).

Although Solskjaer’s results did not meet the high expectations set by Sir Alex Ferguson, they were commendable in the context of a Manchester United still navigating the post-Ferguson era. Among the various managers who have occupied the role since Ferguson’s retirement nearly 13 years ago, Solskjaer was arguably the closest to embodying the essence of the ‘United way’.

Reflecting on his managerial experience in an interview with BBC Sport in November 2025, Solskjaer acknowledged the formidable challenge of building a successful team amid the dominance of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. “It was the worst time to be the manager of Manchester United. You have the best managers and probably the two best teams in the world at that time. Yet, we managed to secure second and third place,” he shared.

He viewed the pressure of the managerial role as a privilege rather than a burden. “I felt privileged to be the manager of Manchester United, but it’s not the same as playing. As a player, you just focus on your performance. As a manager, you become the face of the club and think about the supporters and players. It’s a privilege to handle that pressure, but ultimately, results are what matter. We had a difficult six-week period, which is too long for a club like Manchester United, leading to my departure.”

Currently, Darren Fletcher has taken charge on an interim basis, with Manchester United seeking to appoint someone to lead the team temporarily until a permanent replacement is selected by summer. Discussed candidates for both interim and permanent roles include Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and the newly available Enzo Maresca, with former United captain Michael Carrick emerging as a strong candidate for the caretaker position, having previously taken the reins for three matches in 2021 before Ralf Rangnick was appointed.