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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Phil Neville makes big claim about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United tenure

Former right-back Phil Neville believes former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left the club in a better position than he what he found it in at the time of his arrival in 2018.

Solskjaer, who was sacked back in November following a downturn in results, concluding with a 4-1 defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road, took over the reins at Old Trafford, initially on a temporary basis, in December 2018.

Although he did not guide the club to a trophy during his spell in charge, he did lead United to back-to-back top-three finishes in his only two full seasons in charge, as well as the final of the Europa League, meaning he did enjoy success to a certain level of degree.

The Norwegian did, certainly for a time, bring the feel good factor back to Old Trafford following a miserable ending to Jose Mourinho's tenure, meaning he should be applauded for some of the work he did during his time at the club.

And that is a view that held by former United man Neville, who has admitted that Solskjaer helped the club make progress.

"What I always think about Manchester United: there is no divine right to win," Neville told the Mail.

"Ole left the club in a better shape. They're still producing young players, they're still the biggest club in England, they're just not getting success.

"But for 30 years, Liverpool weren't getting success… it's something people are just going to have to accept. And it will take time."

United, who are currently under the stewardship of interim manager Ralf Rangnick, are facing the prospect of another season without winning a trophy, unless they produce a major shock and win the Champions League.

Their main objective, of course, is to secure a top-four finish ahead of next season to ensure that they compete in Europe's premier club competition once again.

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