Ole Gunnar Solskjaer press conference: New Manchester United manager open to permanent role

Solskjaer will take charge of United until the end of the season following Jose Mourinho's dismissal

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's career in numbers

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was unveiled as Manchester United’s new caretaker manager in front of the national press at the club’s Carrington training ground on Friday morning, following Jose Mourinho’s dismissal earlier this week.

Solskjaer takes temporary charge of United until the end of the season, when he is expected to return to Molde in his native Norway. The 45-year-old’s first game comes away to former club Cardiff City on Saturday. United currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, 11 points adrift of the top four.

The Norwegian, who scored 91 goals in 235 United appearances as a player, began work on Thursday. Solskjaer hopes to get his players enjoying their football again and has promised every member of his squad will be given “a clean slate” over the coming weeks and months. Re-live the live updates from Carrington in the blog below.

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Key Points

• Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faced the press for the first time as Manchester United manager
• He reveals he would be interested in a permanent position
• Solskjaer reveals he’s already spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson
• Solskjaer will have input in January transfer plans

[21 December 2018 07:44 · Ben Burrows]

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's unveiling as manager of Manchester United.

The former striker was appointed on Wednesday after Jose Mourinho was sacked after two-and-a-half years in charge.

The 45-year-old will meet the press for the first time this morning and we will have all the latest right here.

[21 December 2018 08:03 · Ben Burrows]

  ↵Solskjaer was appointed as interim manager on Wednesday morning.

He spoke to MUTV last night. Here's everything he had to say:

[21 December 2018 08:20 · Ben Burrows]

Solskjaer has promised the players a chance to prove themselves all over again after some fell out of favour under Mourinho.

World Cup winner Paul Pogba, a £89.3million signing from Juventus, started only one of Mourinho's last four games in charge and has looked a shadow of the player who played a key role in France's triumph in Russia this summer, but he will be one of those hoping to show he can rediscover his best form under Solskjaer.

"Playing games is the best time of your life and the more games you get, the better it is. For me as a manager now, it's great because you have to rotate, so you will get to see many players and they'll get the chance.

"Everyone in the squad knows that 'I've got a chance now' because whatever has gone, whatever has happened has happened. Now it's just about from here.

"Everyone starts with a clean slate and we want players to perform, and we'll give them the chance."

[21 December 2018 08:32 · Ben Burrows]

What's on Ole's plate then? Quite a lot as it happens.

[21 December 2018 08:41 · Ben Burrows]

The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) has called on executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to make major structural changes to the way the club operates off the pitch following the sacking of Jose Mourinho on Tuesday. 

MUST gave its backing to Solskjaer, but the group also demanded “football expertise” is put in charge of “football decisions”. 

In a statement, MUST said: “United need a lift and our ultimate super-sub, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, is just the man for the job. He’s been a long-term backer of fans and a patron of MUST, so we know he understands our support and what we are looking for from a manager. 

“Whilst Ole is at the helm, the club needs to make the big structural changes to equip us to compete in modern football. The club must put football expertise in charge of football decisions, especially in respect of selection of the next manager and player transfers. 

“Manchester United fans have shown phenomenal support to the team through the recent difficult period. We know all fans will continue to back the team and we expect to see the players giving their all for the club and the supporters. We know Ole will.”

[21 December 2018 08:52 · Ben Burrows]

  ↵How will Solskjaer do as a caretaker boss?

History suggests he might do alright.

Allow Miguel Delaney to explain:

[21 December 2018 08:57 · Ben Burrows]

We're just waiting on Solskjaer now.

Stick with us and we'll have everything from Manchester United's newest manager right here.

Stay tuned.

[21 December 2018 08:59 · Mark Critchley]

The new Manchester United boss has arrived!

Let's see what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has to say...

[21 December 2018 09:00 · Mark Critchley]

Any doubts about taking the job?

"No, of course not, I didn't think twice when they called me to sign me as a player and this is more of an honour and privilege to be helping the club for a few months."

[21 December 2018 09:03 · Mark Critchley]

What exactly is the job?

"It's until the summer now, five or six months to just help out in the meantime while the club does the process to get the next manager."