Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that he was a big fan of one player’s “professional attitude” during his time at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer initially arrived at Manchester United as caretaker manager after Jose Mourinho was sacked from Old Trafford in 2018.
The 50-year-old Norwegian enjoyed a successful spell as United’s caretaker boss, including a famous 3-1 win in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain.
Solskjaer was later appointed permanent manager at the Red Devils and led United to a second-place finish in the Premier League in the 2020-21 season.
The ex-United manager also came within touching distance of silverware, only for the Red Devils to suffer a defeat in the Europa League final against Villarreal.
Solskjaer’s time at Old Trafford came to an end in 2021 after he was sacked from the club, with the United legend enduring a tough start to the campaign.
The former United star has been out of management since he left the Red Devils, with current manager Erik ten Hag later succeeding him as his permanent successor.
Solskjaer talks Man Utd and one player
Ahead of the 2021-22 season, Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo made his sensational return to Old Trafford after leaving Serie A side Juventus.
Ronaldo, who left United for the second time after his falling out with Erik ten Hag, enjoyed a successful start to life in his second spell under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Speaking to The Times of India, Solskjaer opened up on the return of his ex-teammate and his admiration for Ronaldo’s “professional attitude” at the club.
“Cristiano wanted to leave Juventus but we didn’t think it was possible to bring him back. We had built a squad without Cristiano,” he said.
“And then when this opportunity came, I think everyone in the world thought it’s going to be fantastic.
“And he had a good season. I think he scored 28 goals. I love Cristiano’s professional attitude.
“But it didn’t work out for him. It didn’t work out for me. It didn’t work out for the team, unfortunately.
“But at that moment, it was the right decision to welcome him back to Old Trafford. That’s life. We made a decision.”
Solskjaer on Ronaldo’s first match back
Cristiano Ronaldo made his second debut for United in an emphatic 4-1 Premier League victory at Old Trafford against Newcastle in 2021.
The 39-year-old Portuguese forward scored a stunning brace against Newcastle, with Solskjaer recalling the impact that the Al Nassr star had on his return.
Solskjaer insisted that Ronaldo created special memories for fans and admitted that there have not been many occasions where Old Trafford had “seen a better vibe.”
“His first outing on return was against Newcastle,” he said.
“I think there have not been many days at Old Trafford that have seen a better vibe. And it was an unbelievable thing.
“So, it’s about giving people memories. That’s a memory for everyone who was there, and that he came back after having been the best player in the world for so many years.
“So, unfortunately, after I left, it turned sour with Cristiano. It was sad to see from the outside.”