Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has claimed the club acted too hastily in sacking manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, insisting the Norwegian was on the right path to restoring the team's former glory.
Matic's Defence of Solskjaer's Record
Matic, who spent five years at Old Trafford between 2017 and 2022, played under four different United bosses. While he was originally signed by Jose Mourinho, it is Solskjaer's tenure that the Serbian international believes was cut short unjustly. Solskjaer replaced Mourinho in December 2018, initially on an interim basis before being handed the permanent role in March 2019.
Reflecting on that period in an interview with FourFourTwo, Matic highlighted the team's achievements under Solskjaer's leadership. "We finished second and third under him," Matic stated. "There was an atmosphere in the team that we weren’t happy finishing second, but when you see the results now, we did amazingly. I think Ole deserved more time."
Praise for Coaching Staff and Environment
The 36-year-old also extended his praise to Solskjaer's backroom team, including coaches Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna. He emphasised that they collectively understood the club's culture and had a detailed, effective approach to training.
Solskjaer was ultimately dismissed in November 2021 following a 4-1 defeat to Watford that left United seventh in the Premier League table. Michael Carrick and then Ralf Rangnick took interim charge for the remainder of that season. Matic argued that the decision was based on a short-term downturn in results, overlooking the broader positive trajectory.
Matic, who started just four league games in his final season, also commended Solskjaer's man-management skills, noting his ability to maintain squad harmony even with players who were not regularly featuring.
Life After Old Trafford for Matic and Solskjaer
Following his departure from Manchester in the summer of 2022, Matic reunited with Jose Mourinho at AS Roma. He has since had spells with Rennes and Lyon in France, and currently plays for Italian side Sassuolo.
Solskjaer, after a break from management, returned to the dugout with Turkish club Besiktas midway through the 2024/25 season. His stint there ended in August 2025. In a recent appearance on the 'Stick to Football' podcast, the former United striker expressed openness to a managerial return, potentially in England. "I'm open, it's not like I'm desperate to be back but England, I love living here," Solskjaer said.
The debate over Manchester United's managerial decisions continues, with Matic's comments adding a seasoned player's perspective to the discussion about a pivotal era at the club.
