Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals private Sir Alex Ferguson conversation

MANCHESTER UNITED caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has divulged details of his private conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Solskjaer, who has been handed the reins at Old Trafford until the end of the season, spoke to his former manager this week after news of his appointment broke.

Sir Alex, who managed Manchester United from 1986 to 2013, gave his advice on how to create a successful atmosphere around the club.

“It’s about getting every player to their best, speaking to them around the training ground about philosophy, principles and how we want to play,” Solskjaer said.

“It doesn’t matter what team you’re coaching, they all want to have a picture of how you want to play, they’re all quality players, so it will be easier to get players expressing themselves.”

The former Norway international played under Sir Alex from 1996 to 2007, scoring 126 goals in 366 appearances.

The Baby-Faced Assassin added: “You play with courage, go out there and express your skills. Sir Alex said ‘go out and express yourselves and take risks’.”

Jose Mourinho, who was sacked as United manager on Tuesday, had been heavily criticised for his defensive style of play at Old Trafford.

Fans are keen to see a return of the offensive brand of football that they were so used to seeing before Sir Alex retired in 2013.

Ferguson recently underwent emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage, but recovered quickly and was in attendance for United’s 3-1 defeat at Anfield last weekend.

“The last game he had as a manager, 5-5 [against West Brom], that was almost the perfect end for him as a manager,” said Solskjaer.

“I want the players to be similar, be the kids that love to play football and go out in front of the best fans in the world.

“Sir Alex influenced me with everything, to be fair, the way he’s dealt with people, the way he was manager of the club.

“He kept 25 international players happy and hungry wanting to improve, but also the staff in and around the place.

“He’s been my mentor, but I didn’t understand early on he’d be my mentor. 

“Towards the end, maybe the injury in 2003, I was making all the notes about what he did in certain situations and I’ve already been in touch with him – there’s no one to get better advice from.

“I’ve been here as a player, 11 years as a player, a coach for three-and-a-half years, nearly 15 years of my life. It’s a third of my life. I’m getting old, but that’s life.”

Solskjaer’s first test as United boss is a trip to his former club Cardiff on Saturday afternoon.

Source:www.express.co.uk