Solskjaer delighted to be ‘back home’ as he tries to save Man Utd season
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER was beaming as he walked back into Carrington at around 7.55am yesterday.
Long-serving receptionist Kath was one of the first to greet him and was thrilled to be given a bar of Norwegian chocolate ‘Melkesjokolade’ by the prodigal son.
Manchester United wideman Ashley Young clocked on soon afterwards to do a round of television interviews ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Cardiff.
He said: “He came in smiling. But then I don’t think I’ve seen him not smiling. He is one of those types that always has a smile on his face.”
He must have stood out a mile — as smiles have been hard to come by during the final turbulent few months of Jose Mourinho’s reign.
United fans got used to seeing Solskjaer’s boyish grin during his 11 glittering years as a striker round here.
And — seven years since he left — it’s exactly what the club needs to lift some of the gloom which has gathered over Old Trafford.
A lot of people who worked around the Aon Training Centre when Solskjaer left to take charge of Molde in 2011 are still there today.
Staff in the laundry and the canteen — as well as Kath — were delighted to see him when he was whisked around to re-acquaint himself.
In his MUTV interview he said: “I’m back home. It’s great to see everyone. I feel like I’m a part of this club, I know this club and I understand this club.”
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There were hugs and high fives for the man known as the ‘baby-faced assassin’ for his killer instinct in front of goal — who also spent three years on the United coaching staff.
Mike Phelan was also back and the first training session for the pair since being put in charge of an interim basis, was scheduled for 11am — but they had plenty to do before that.
There was a brief meeting with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward — who was also said to be in good spirits after a testing week.
At around 10.30am, Solskjaer called the whole squad together and spoke to them for five minutes.
He told them they were playing for the biggest club in the world — and they had to embrace the pressure that comes with it.
He said they must forget about what had happened over the last few months — “a clean slate” as he put it — and anything that may have happened with Mourinho.
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And — more than anything — how they need to start enjoying their football once more. In a nutshell, Ole wanted to see them smile again.
He said: “It’s about Manchester United and making sure the players know what they can do, we want to see them express themselves.”
Then it was out to the training pitch for a lively 75-minute session — as he got a first look at the squad the former boss has left behind.
Solskjaer had gained some info during a meeting with coaches Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna at The Lowry Hotel on Wednesday night.
The duo — who took charge in the aftermath of Mourinho’s exit — helped with training, along with Phelan.
Unusually for United, the session was top secret and behind-closed-doors with no photos or footage available.
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Young, 33, added: “He’s brought back Mike Phelan and they know this club. I’m sure they will make their philosophy, and the way they want to play, clear.”
Once training was over, the whole squad went to eat together in the canteen.
It is something of a United tradition which had been allowed to drift away under Jose but one Solskjaer wants to reintroduce.
In recent months, players have been eating with their mates — meaning dressing-room cliques have formed. Even last week the players’ Christmas dinner was a buffet which allowed the squad to pop in and eat at different times. There was no sense of togetherness — and Solskjaer is keen to bring that back.
After lunch, there was more for the Norwegian, 45, to do — including the interview with MUTV. In that he referenced Sir Alex Ferguson.
He said: “He’s been the biggest influence but then again I’m a different personality.
“I have just got to be myself. You have to ask the people I have managed. I like people, to speak to people, engage with people.
“I want to see them express themselves — whether it’s working in the canteen, being a physio, a player, a coach — that makes me happy.”
After MUTV it was a quick return to the Lowry — his temporary home for the first couple of weeks at least — as he had a busy evening ahead.
It was the Christmas party for United’s office staff at The Point, Lancashire Cricket Club’s Old Trafford last night.
Normally the first-team boss attends to keep spirits high although, perhaps not surprisingly, there was no sign of Mourinho last year.
In contrast Solskjaer not only turned up but he gave a rousing speech — which got a huge ovation from staff.
United are looking to move on and look forward. Solskjaer added on MUTV: “I’m part of a huge team, but being in the gaffer’s seat is special.”
And the smile was still firmly in place.