Super League: Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opens up on ‘bad idea’

Co-chairman Joel Glazer apologised to Manchester United fans in an open letter this week

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with Joel and Avram Glazer (Reuters)

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer never liked the European Super League concept and is glad supporters showed their anger as clubs ripped up this “bad idea”.

The Old Trafford giants were among 12 founding clubs confirmed as part of the breakaway competition late on Sunday evening, but those plans swiftly and spectacularly unravelled.

United co-chairman Joel Glazer, who was announced as Super League vice-chairman, admitted they “got it wrong” after embarrassingly withdrawing from the competition on Tuesday evening.

Solskjaer, speaking for the first time, said: “I’m very happy that the fans have voiced their opinion and that we’ve listened to them.

“In a strange sort of way it’s brought the football pyramid or community together and I think that’s important and I’m very happy... I’m a supporter myself, and there’ll be a day that I’ll come back and watch Man United and I want to watch a team even with a fear of failure.

“That’s what I thought about it. I didn’t like the concept anyway because it has to be on sporting merit. I want to earn the right to play in Europe.”

The United boss added: “I’m very happy that all the clubs that have admitted their mistake, that this was a bad idea and the way that it came out as well.”

PA