Solskjaer explains why Sir Alex apologised to him last season

Sir Alex Ferguson apologised to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last season over his comments on his team selection.

Solskjaer headed into the 2021/22 season with hopes of ending Manchester United’s trophy drought following the signing of serial winners like Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane.

But the arrival of marquee names without keeping the balance of the squad in mind had a negative impact on the Norwegian’s side. As not only it increased pressure on Solskjaer to go toe-to-toe against big sides instead of using his effective counter-attacking football, but also put him in the spotlight for his every decision involving superstars like Ronaldo.

In October 2021, Solskjaer’s decision to drop the summer’s statement signing against Everton was seemingly questioned by Ferguson in an off-hand interaction with Khabib Nurmagomedov.

United dropped two points at home, as the visitors equalised through Andros Townsend in the 65th minute, less than 10 minutes after Ronaldo was subbed in. After the full-time whistle, a lot of question marks were raised over the manager’s selection.

The former United boss realised his comments only made things harder for the under-pressure man in charge and phoned him.

“That’s the one time Sir Alex has ever apologised to me,” Solskjaer revealed (via The Athletic). “He was caught on a video saying, ‘You should always play your best players,’ after Ronaldo started on the bench for one game. He (Ferguson) rang me and apologised because he knows how difficult it is.”

Until that extravagant summer transfer spree, there were concerns over Solskjaer’s tactical acumen, but he was still viewed as an elite man-manager, and the dressing room largely believed in his style and fought for their manager. But in his last season at Old Trafford, the club legend’s position in the dressing room was undermined and he was ultimately relieved of his duties.