Ralf Rangnick's glowing assessment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has resurfaced as the Norwegian emerges as the favourite to return as Manchester United manager. United are searching for a short-term boss after Ruben Amorim was dismissed following a public disagreement with the club's hierarchy, with Darren Fletcher currently in interim charge.
Rangnick, who served as interim manager after Solskjaer's departure in 2021, previously revealed the former striker spent nearly two hours briefing him on the squad. "He was very generous to spend, as I said, [more than] one-and-a-half hours on the phone with me, telling all his inside details about the team," Rangnick said at the time.
Solskjaer, 52, enjoyed a successful interim spell himself in 2018, winning 14 of his first 19 matches before being appointed permanently. He led United to second place in the Premier League and a Europa League final. When asked about a return in September 2024, he said: "If the family asks, I would say yes every day of the week."
Meanwhile, interim boss Darren Fletcher has sought advice from Sir Alex Ferguson before taking the role. "I wanted to speak to him first, and ultimately to get his blessing," Fletcher said. United face Brighton in the FA Cup this weekend as they weigh up options, with Solskjaer among several candidates, including Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Solskjaer has been out of management since a brief stint at Besiktas that ended in August 2025. His previous caretaker success contrasts with Rangnick's record of 11 wins in 29 matches, highlighting the club's hope for a similar revival under their next appointment.
