Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s potential return to the Manchester United dugout could be great news for the club’s emerging players. The Norwegian, who guided United to third and second place in his three-year spell, is now the favorite to take charge until the end of the season following the sacking of manager Ruben Amorim.
It is thought that approaches have been made to both Solskjaer and Michael Carrick, another Old Trafford favorite who was sacked from Middlesbrough in the summer. Despite ending his tenure after a disastrous start to the 2021/22 season, Solskjaer’s tenure as manager is now being viewed more favorably, especially given United’s subsequent travails. An underrated aspect of his management was his willingness to promote youth, and Mr. Amorim seemed reluctant to embrace it.
Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay both racked up over 100 appearances under him, with a number of other academy graduates reaching half-centuries. In total, Solskjaer gave 16 youngsters their debuts at Old Trafford.
This approach drew praise from Sir Alex Ferguson, a legendary fosterer of young talent. “If you’re not getting results, you have questions to ask. He’s getting results and he’s done a really good job,” Ferguson told the BBC about Solskjær in early 2021.
“And what’s really important for this club is to introduce young players. And he’s giving young players a chance. If young players are good enough, they’ll play. There’s never been a problem at this club.”
It will be interesting to hear Ferguson’s opinion on Amorim’s approach to young players, especially after the Portuguese coach publicly criticized some for being overpaid and entitled to too much before his sacking.
“They feel entitled, but the club legends are saying, ‘If you don’t play, get out,'” he said last month. No, let’s stay here and fight and get through it. We have to fight this feeling. ”
Amorim clearly lacks faith in Koby Mainu, suggesting that the midfielder has failed to impress in training and in limited game appearances to secure a regular place in the squad. “At the end of the day it’s going to be training and games. Obviously he hasn’t played that many games, but Coby had his chances, especially last year. Everyone has their chances.”
He was also critical of less established young players such as Harry Amas, who he said was “struggling in the Championship” while on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, and highlighted Toby Collier’s lack of game time at West Brom. Meanwhile, Amorim justified his decision not to give promising attacker Chido Obi a chance, stressing that he is not a regular starter for the Under-21 team.
Whether Amorim’s assessment was correct is debatable. However, publicly expressing concerns about the club’s young talent probably did not sit well with the club’s higher-ups, who decided that a change in head coach was necessary.
Under-18s manager Darren Fletcher took charge against Burnley on Wednesday and will likely take charge against Brighton in the FA Cup on Sunday.
