Manchester United sacked Solskjaer on Sunday morning amid a dreadful run of form which has seen them lose five of their last seven matches in the Premier League
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked from Manchester United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his Manchester United players were letting themselves down towards the end of his reign as manager.
Solskjaer was sacked on Sunday amid a dreadful run of recent form, with Saturday’s 4-1 reversal at Watford representing a fifth defeat in the club’s last seven Premier League matches – a run which included meek losses at home to their biggest rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.
The Norwegian had come under mounting pressure at Old Trafford in recent weeks, with the summer outlay on Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane heightening expectations and ensuring that the Red Devils were expected to mount a Premier League title challenge.
Instead, they are already 12 points behind league leaders Chelsea, and facing a fight to get into the top four.
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United go to Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday, where defeat would put their chances of reaching the knockout stages in jeopardy.
Speaking to United club media after his sacking, Solskjaer said: “As I’ve said to them this morning as well, trust yourselves, you know we’re better than this.
“We’ve not been able to show it but go out, chest out, enjoy being a Man United player, Champions League, the biggest stage.”
An emotional Solskjaer reflected on his time at United during the interview, and also wished new caretaker boss Michael Carrick well.
“You know what this club means to me and what I wanted to achieve here,” he said.
“For the club, for the fans, for the players, for the staff. I wanted us to take the next step to challenge for the league, to win trophies and I only think it’s right that it comes from the horse’s mouth.
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“I don’t want to answer all… there’s going to be journalists asking me about interviews but no, I’m not going to do any interviews. I want to get it out there, I’m going to leave by the front door, because I think everyone knows I’ve given everything for this club.
“This club means everything to me and together we’re a good match, but unfortunately I couldn’t get the results we needed and it’s time for me to step aside.”
Carrick has taken over in a caretaker capacity as the club look to appoint an interim coach until the end of the season, when they will go for a long-term target, and Solskjaer wished him well for the trip to Spain.
“If and when you win the game, you’re through to the next round, Michael is going to be in charge,” he said.
“Michael, I have the utmost respect [for], I love Michael to bits.
“I’m becoming emotional now because he’s top. They’ll be fine. I’ll watch them and support them.”