By Ibrahim Danladi

Ole Gunnar Solskjær, the former manager of Manchester United, has acknowledged that the decision to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to the club was a well-intentioned but ultimately flawed move. He expressed that he was let down by certain unnamed players’ egos, which contributed to his dismissal.

Solskjær, who managed Manchester United from December 19, 2018, until November 21, 2021, lost his job amid a challenging period. In the summer of 2021, Ronaldo rejoined the club at the age of 35. While Ronaldo had an impressive debut, scoring twice against Newcastle in a 4-1 victory, his addition disrupted Solskjær’s team dynamics. Despite Ronaldo scoring nine goals before a match against Watford, it wasn’t enough to save Solskjær’s job.

“It was a decision that was very difficult to turn down, and I felt we had to take it, but it turned out wrong,” Solskjær admitted in an interview with The Athletic. “It felt so right when he signed, and the fans felt that at that Newcastle game, when Old Trafford was rocking. He was still one of the best goalscorers in the world; he was looking strong.”

In late October, Manchester United suffered a devastating 5-0 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford, and subsequent losses to Manchester City and Watford sealed Solskjær’s fate. He noted that during tough times, certain players’ egos became more pronounced, and the squad’s self-perception did not align with their actual performance.

“Some of the players had inflated views of themselves,” Solskjær revealed. “They weren’t as good as their own perception of themselves. I won’t name names, but I was very disappointed when a couple turned down the chance to be captain. I was also disappointed when others said they wouldn’t play or train because they wanted to force their way out.”

Erik ten Hag, who succeeded Solskjær after Ralf Rangnick’s interim appointment, has faced a challenging start to the season with Manchester United, losing three of their opening five matches. Solskjær empathized with his successor, acknowledging the complexities of managing a team with diverse personalities and motivations. However, he also emphasized that most players are dedicated professionals who prioritize the success of the club over personal interests.