Manchester United’s recent defeat has reopened old debates and sparked fresh calls for a familiar name.
With Ruben Amorim under heavy pressure after a string of poor results, former United striker and ex-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suddenly returned to the headlines.
The Norwegian was recently dismissed by Besiktas after crashing out of the Conference League. Yet despite that setback, some pundits believe he could be the right short-term fix for United’s growing troubles.
Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara has been the loudest voice in favor of a reunion. “Solskjaer ain’t the worst shout in the world. He can come in, he can be a stopgap manager, interim manager, get players back onside,” he said.
🗣️ “They could go and get Ole Gunnar Solskjaer”
Jamie O’Hara thinks a return for Solskjaer at Man United would make sense for the club 🔴 pic.twitter.com/xP1ogv1mMC
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 29, 2025
O’Hara even brushed aside talk of Jose Mourinho, insisting Solskjaer would be a calmer choice to steady the ship.
United’s Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town has only deepened the crisis. Fans are restless, and with a key Premier League clash against Burnley on the horizon, the club’s leadership faces a tough decision.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Man Utd manager: Stats and reason behind his sacking
Solskjaer first stepped into the Old Trafford hot seat in 2018 after Mourinho’s exit. He was supposed to be a short-term caretaker but ended up staying nearly three years.
In that time, he led United to a third-place and second-place Premier League finish, and also reached the 2021 Europa League final, losing to Villarreal on penalties.
Statistically, Solskjaer remains one of United’s most successful post-Ferguson managers. He won 91 of his 168 games in charge, a 54.2% win rate. Only Mourinho (58.3%) has done better in that period.
| Manager | Games | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solskjaer | 168 | 91 | 37 | 40 | 308 | 183 | 54.2 |
But the cracks were clear. His side scored plenty but conceded too often — 183 goals in 168 matches, averaging over one per game.
Defensive errors and weak pressing often left United exposed. Their 5-0 defeat at home to Liverpool in October 2021 summed up the problems and accelerated his departure.
Still, compared to Amorim’s current record of just seven wins in 29 league matches, Solskjaer’s numbers look far healthier. However, fans might not be happy at all if United chooses to go back that path.
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