Molde FK chief says Manchester United's approach for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came as a ‘complete surprise’

The deal to borrow Solskjaer until the end of the season was finalised in little over 12 hours

Molde FK managing director Oystein Neerland has revealed that Manchester United’s approach for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Tuesday came as a “complete surprise”.

United did not contact the Norwegian side until after Jose Mourinho had been sacked, but the deal which sees Solskjaer take the helm at Old Trafford until the end of the season was finalised in little over 12 hours.

Soslkjaer will return to Molde at the end of the season, two months after Noway's Eliteserien has begun.

“I did not see the situation coming, just like everyone else,” said Neerland.

“When Mourinho was sacked the discussion here immediately turned to Ole being a potential candidate.

“But it was still a complete surprise when Ed Woodward called me. It’s a very interesting situation but I’m very happy with the situation.

Laurent Blanc was initially thought to be United’s first choice to take over as caretaker manager, with the former France boss’ team expressing their interest in the role, however, it quickly became clear that United’s CEO Ed Woodward and the club’s hierarchy had made Solskjaer their primary candidate.

“We had a number of telephone calls yesterday with Ed Woodward and Manchester United but the whole thing happened so fast.”