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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was told by Molde owners: ‘Enjoy yourself at Man Utd, and don’t come back.’
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was given a message by Molde’s owners when he left on loan for Manchester United in December: ‘Enjoy yourself, and don’t come back.’
Those words, it should be made clear, were intended to mean ‘good luck’ rather than ‘good riddance’, and Solskjaer has done much in his first weeks to aid his chances of getting his dream job on a full-time basis.
United are continuing to go through a thorough process as they seek a long-term replacement for the sacked Jose Mourinho, but their former striker has made a strong case for extending his stay beyond the end of this season.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino remains among the other candidates being considered for the post, along with former Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane and Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone.
Solskjaer, though, is playing a part in laying United’s future foundations, as he is being consulted by the board over signings to be made this summer, with central defensive reinforcements a priority.
In getting his chance to manage a club he played for between 1996 and 2007, the Norwegian is grateful to the two businessmen who have co-owned Molde for the past 25 years, Kjell Inge Røkke and Bjørn Rune Gjelsten.
Røkke and Gjelsten have an unhappy history with English football, as the two men who oversaw the beginning of Wimbledon’s decline at the turn of the millennium, which culminated in a controversial transformation into MK Dons. Loaning their manager to one of the Premier League’s leading clubs has proved a rather better experience.
Solskjaer said: “When I rang the owner and said that United had called and that he always knew that this had been my dream, he said: ‘Go over, enjoy yourself – and please don’t come back.’
“Both owners wished me all the best because they knew this is something I dreamed about.
“To get the backing from them was fantastic. If I go back to Molde, I will do my best for them – but it depends when I go back.
“It’s been fantastic so far. Hopefully I will get to see my family soon, because that has been the only downside to the job.”
Solskjaer’s family have remained in Norway while he has been staying in Manchester and concentrating on the job of reviving United’s fortunes.
He began by setting a club record, becoming the first manager to win his opening eight matches in charge at Old Trafford, although Tuesday’s 2-2 Premier League draw at home to Burnley offered a significant reality check.
United’s defensive frailties were exposed that night, something that has been a common theme during a campaign that has brought just four Premier League clean sheets.
Sunday's league visit to Leicester is likely to offer another reminder of how United have failed to strengthen adequately at the back; in opposition will be Harry Maguire, the central defender Mourinho wanted to sign during the summer, only for executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to balk at the £70million asking price.
United made no signings at all during the transfer window that closed on Thursday, deciding to wait in order to seek reinforcements for the squad, but Solskjaer is being consulted over possible incomings.
He said: “I think it’s quite natural that whoever is in charge and whoever is involved with the players already here has a voice in that.
“I have got to know the players, what potential they have, how far away they are from reaching that potential, and who we can build a team on. So of course I put my views into the club.
“It was just about coming in to work with the players and I knew that if the club had targets for the transfer window, they would have discussed them with me.”
Solskjaer would be happy to continue advising United on potential signings even if the club appointed another manager for next season.
The caretaker-manager believes that his in-depth knowledge of the club’s culture puts him in a good position to judge which players would fit in at Old Trafford.
He said: “I am always in the position to tell United who they should look at, and that will continue after the summer if I’m not still here.
“I will always advise the club, especially if they ask me. It comes down to playing style, how we want to look in one or two years’ time, what kind of players we want and what kind of personalities we look for.
“It’s about finding players with the right Manchester United identity and DNA.”