"There is a cruel narrative around Solskjaer. It is that, after spells with Molde, where he won the Norwegian title, and Cardiff, where he was relegated, the 52-year-old was lucky to be appointed interim United manager following Jose Mourinho's dismissal in December 2018. Then, that he should never have been given the permanent role, let alone get an extension."
"Speaking to people involved in Solskjaer's appointment - and dismissal - there is a more positive view. "He is absolutely far better than many people give him credit for," said a source who observed Solskjaer at close quarters throughout his near three-year tenure. In the wake of Mourinho's dismissal, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward called Solskjaer back to the club he had served so memorably as a player and a coach with a simple brief - bring a smile back to Old Trafford."
Manchester United's stoppage-time equaliser at Tottenham extended an unbeaten run to five matches and left the club seventh in the Premier League, two points behind third-placed Chelsea. After two woeful seasons, optimism is growing that United are moving in the right direction. Just over four years earlier the team finished second under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, scoring 73 goals, the most in a single campaign since Sir Alex Ferguson's era ended. Solskjaer led a strong start to 2021-22 with three wins and a draw from four games. Opinions on Solskjaer's tenure are mixed, with a harsh narrative about luck and failures contrasted by more positive insider views. Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward reportedly brought Solskjaer back with a brief to bring a smile back to Old Trafford, a task Solskjaer achieved almost instinctively.
Read at www.bbc.com
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