The potential return of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the Manchester United dugout is being viewed as a significant positive for the club's academy prospects, shining a light on a key tradition his predecessor failed to uphold.
Ferguson's Endorsement of Solskjaer's Philosophy
During Solskjaer's tenure as manager, which spanned three years and yielded third and second-place Premier League finishes, he was publicly commended by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson for a specific and crucial approach. Speaking to the BBC in early 2021, Ferguson emphasised the club's core principle, stating: "And what is really important for this club is to introduce young people, and he's given young players a chance. The young guys, if they are good enough, play them. Never a problem at this club."
This philosophy was borne out in team selections. Key figures like Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay each made over 100 appearances under the Norwegian's guidance. Furthermore, a host of other academy graduates reached the milestone of 50 games for the first team.
Amorim's Contrasting Stance on Young Talent
This tradition stands in stark contrast to the approach of Ruben Amorim, whose recent dismissal has opened the door for a potential Solskjaer comeback. The Portuguese coach was notably reluctant to integrate youth, offering blunt public critiques of the club's emerging stars.
He expressed clear doubts about midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, suggesting his training and limited game time did not justify a regular starting role. Amorim was also scathing about other prospects, noting that full-back Harry Amass was "struggling in the Championship" during a loan spell and highlighting Toby Collyer's lack of minutes at West Brom.
His justification for not playing young attacker Chido Obi was that the player wasn't a regular starter for the under-21s. Amorim's overall assessment, delivered before his sacking, was that some young players felt an unwarranted "entitlement."
Legends in Frame for United Return
Following Amorim's exit, the club has reportedly reached out to both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and another former player, Michael Carrick, regarding a return to Old Trafford. The pair could potentially work in tandem.
While Solskjaer's reign ended with his dismissal in the 2021/22 season after a poor run of form, his period in charge is now viewed more favourably in the context of the team's subsequent struggles. His readiness to trust and develop young talent, a hallmark of United's history, is now seen as a major asset he brought to the role.
The debate around Amorim's tenure raises questions not just about talent evaluation, but also man-management. Publicly airing doubts about the club's future stars is a strategy that ultimately appears to have backfired, contributing to the decision by the United hierarchy to seek a new direction.
