Man Utd 'considered hiring ex-player' before Ruben Amorim – and he's still available

Manchester United chiefs reportedly gave thought to turning to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before landing Ruben Amorim last year. Amorim was hired in November as a replacement for Erik ten Hag and arrived with a stellar reputation from Sporting Lisbon, but he now finds himself under intense pressure as he approaches a year in the job.

The Portuguese boss has won just 18 of his 49 games in charge of United and endured a nightmare debut campaign, finishing 15th in the Premier League before losing the Europa League final. With no European football this season, there was added emphasis on domestic success, but defeat by League Two Grimsby in the Carabao Cup and a stuttering start in the Premier League has seen his position questioned again.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, who has led his side to an unbeaten start this season and won the FA Cup in May, is among those being considered by United’s hierarchy. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team were behind the appointment of Amorim, who they believed was a coup, having been so successful with Sporting.

They moved for him after sacking Ten Hag just months after handing the Dutchman a new contract. And the muddled thinking is shown by the fact that bringing back Solskjaer was given fleeting consideration, according to The Sun.

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Former United striker Solskjaer was sacked by United in November 2021 after nearly three years in charge. He was available last November and remains well liked at the club due to his personality and history as both a player and manager.

Solskjaer is also a proud United alumni, having scored 126 goals in 366 games as a player and won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League. Even under the dire circumstances in which he was sacked as manager, the statement United released showed the depth of feeling between the two parties.

“Ole will always be a legend at Manchester United and it is with regret that we have reached this difficult decision,” the statement said. “Ole leaves with our sincerest thanks for his tireless efforts as manager and our very best wishes for the future.

“His place in the club’s history will always be secure, not just for his story as a player, but as a great man and a manager who gave us many great moments. He will forever be welcome back at Old Trafford as part of the Manchester United family.”

Solskjaer is once again available, having been sacked by Besiktas in August after seven months with the Turkish club and was reportedly back in the Manchester area this week. While United insist they haven’t lined up replacements for Amorim, who faces a crucial game against Sunderland on Saturday, they know the Norwegian would be interested in the job.

Speaking at Oslo Business Forum last year, Solskjaer underlined his feelings on the job. "If the family (United) asks, I would say yes every day of the week," he said. "It feels wrong to talk about jobs that other people have now, but I would say yes, of course."

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