Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Missed Opportunities: Arsenal Star Man United Should Have Signed
During his time as Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed that the club missed out on signing Arsenal star Declan Rice. The England international, who eventually joined Arsenal last summer, has been a key player in their Premier League title bid. Solskjaer admitted that United should have pursued Rice for their midfield, which has been a chaotic mess despite significant investment.
Solskjaer only made two midfield signings during his tenure, with Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek experiencing different levels of success at the club. The Norwegian coach believes that Rice’s presence in the team would have improved United’s chances of success. He praised Rice’s playing style, highlighting his ability to cover the pitch and improve his playmaking skills.
Rice, who is currently excelling at Arsenal, could have been lining up alongside Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham at United if Solskjaer had his way. The manager revealed that Bellingham was close to joining the club when he was just 17 years old, but he opted for regular first-team minutes elsewhere. Despite the missed opportunities, Solskjaer praised the scouting department at United for continuing to unearth potential talent.
As United undergoes a massive overhaul of their infrastructure under new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Solskjaer emphasized the importance of scouting and player recruitment. He mentioned that the manager is involved in watching players and creating lists, with the final decision depending on the budget and player attitude.
While Solskjaer may regret missing out on signing Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, he remains optimistic about United’s future prospects with a revamped scouting system and continued focus on identifying talented players. The club’s midfield woes may have been alleviated with the addition of Rice, but Solskjaer is determined to learn from past mistakes and build a stronger team moving forward.