OLE GUNNER SOLSKJAER has revealed in a new interview that he pleaded with United to sign five top players before he ultimately lost his job.
Solskjaer was sacked following a 4-1 away defeat to Watford in November 2021 after a start to the season which saw them lose five of their opening seven games.
In an interview with The Athletic, Solskjaer opened up on everything that went wrong during his tenure, including tactics, signings and the club's ownership.
And one area where he feels that he was not backed was in bringing transfers in.
Solskjaer said he identified a number of stars with potential that United failed to sign during his tenure.
He claims that United "couldn't" sign these young players and when he was asked by The Athletic who they were he said: "Erling Haaland, before he made his Salzburg debut.
READ MORE ON MAN UTD
Neville claims Man Utd have ‘BUGS in dressing room’ as he names two examples
Bayern Munich vs Manchester United: Get 40/1 for 1+ shot on target with Sky Bet
"Declan Rice, who wouldn’t have cost what he did in the summer.
"We discussed Moises Caicedo, but we felt we needed players ready for there and then.
"Brighton are very good at letting players come from abroad and find their feet for a year and a half.
"At United, you don’t have that luxury and that has cost the club loads of players.
Most read in Football
ALL HANDS ON BECKS
Beckham says he ‘WENT AT’ Ferguson after he famously kicked boot at him
KEEP ROLLING
Lazio KEEPER scores incredible 95th minute equaliser in Champions League epic
CANDY KANE
Tottenham have BUY-BACK clause to re-sign Kane after £100m exit, Levy tells fans
NEW LISHA LIFE
Megabucks life of ‘world’s sexiest footballer’ dubbed ‘the female Beckham’
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
He also explained how he'd asked the United board to sign Jude Bellingham, saying: "We wanted Jude Bellingham badly — he’s a Man United player, but I respect he chose Dortmund. That was probably sensible.
"But it’s why I respect Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Dan James and Jadon [Sancho].
"Young players prepared to come into a team that wasn’t 100 per cent there like it was when I arrived."
He also explained how he would have done his utmost to sign Harry Kane this summer had he still been the United manager.
Reports emerged yesterday that Kane "had his heart set" on a move to United and even would have waited until next summer to make the move on a free.
But united were not interested after turning their attentions to £72million rated Rasmus Hojlund.
Speaking about his long-term interest in Kane, Solskjaer said: "I would have signed Kane every day of the week and my understanding was that he wanted to come.
"But the club didn’t have the budget with the financial constraints from Covid-19, there was no bottomless pit."
Kane himself commented on United's interest this summer, saying: "Man United option for me last summer? Obviously there were talks with different clubs.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Exact date millions of Brits will get £300 cost of living payment revealed
Love Island’s Ekin-Su wows in jaw-dropping dress at The Sun’s Who Cares Wins
"But FC Bayern was a club I was really interested in. Once they came in there weren't many other options.
"Manchester United is a big club but I’m very happy here."
Source: Read Full Article