I told Man Utd stars I would be sacked at half-time of my final game… I knew I was finished when I lost the fans
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER told his Manchester United players he was going to be sacked at half-time of his final game.
The Norwegian manager was dismissed by the Red Devils in November 2021 following a 4-1 loss at Watford.
AFPOle Gunnar Solskjaer told his players he would be sacked at half-time of his final game[/caption]
ReutersSolskjaer was dismissed after a 4-1 loss to Watford in November 2021[/caption]
Solskjaer’s sacking brought to an end his almost three-year spell in the United dugout.
However, he has now revealed he knew the writing was on the wall before the end of the trip to Vicarage Road.
United found themselves 3-0 down at the interval, before going on to lose 4-1.
Speaking to The Athletic, Solskjaer was asked if he felt he was going to lose his job before he was sacked.
He recalled: “Nobody told me, but I knew at half-time against Watford.
“We didn’t look like a Man United team; the players weren’t running for each other.
“At half-time, I told the players it was probably going to be the last time we worked together and to play with pride. We almost turned it around, until Harry Maguire got sent off.”
Solskjaer had guided United to the final of the Europa League the previous season, but made a slow start to the 2021/22 campaign.
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When asked if he felt supported by the fans during his tenure, he added: “Apart from Watford away, I can’t remember any negativity at games, bar the odd comment.
“At Watford, I went to the away end after and remember thinking, ‘I really don’t have the backing of all of them’. Bruno was there too, but I knew I was finished.
“The 4-1 looked awful, but it was 2-1 after 90 minutes. We conceded two more. I understand how fans felt — 4-1 is 4-1.”
Solskjaer has been out of management since his United exit, instead coaching his youngest son Elijah’s youth team in his native Norway.
AFPSolskjaer knew he was done when he lost the support of the Manchester United fans[/caption]
The 50-year-old is now ready to return to the dugout, though, after rejecting two offers from Saudi Arabia since leaving Old Trafford.
He has also revealed that he pleaded with the club to sign five key players before he was let go, including Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.
Solskjaer was in charge when the club signed both Jadon Sancho and Harry Maguire.
The ex-United boss has defended both players, though, going as far as to label the abuse Maguire has received a “disgrace”.
