Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Liam Wood

The 14 signings Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made at Manchester United and where they are now

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked by Manchester United in November 2021 - after nearly three years in the dugout - and remains a popular figure at Old Trafford despite how things unfolded for him as manager.

Initially replaced by Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis, Solskjaer was eventually succeeded by former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag and the Dutchman continues to make the United squad his own. However, there are plenty of first-team squad members who were welcomed in by Solskjaer.

Perhaps that is not too surprising given that Solskjaer was still in charge 12 months ago - but some players brought in by the Norwegian have already been deemed surplus to requirements by Ten Hag and his backroom staff.

READ MORE: Ten Hag confirms transfer meetings

Here are the 14 permanent signings made by Solskjaer during his time in charge and where they are now.

Nathan Bishop

Signed: January 2020 from Southend (undisclosed fee)

One who might otherwise slip under the radar, Bishop was signed by Solskjaer and picked up as one for the future. He played 53 games during a successful loan spell with League Two side Mansfield last season and has been kept in-house this campaign to see how he fares in Premier League 2.

Edinson Cavani

Signed: October 2020 from PSG (free transfer)

Sold: August 2022 to Valencia (free transfer)

It turned out to be a bittersweet spell at United for the Uruguay veteran. His all-action performances - even during his twilight years - endeared him to the Old Trafford faithful. However, the 35-year-old was rarely seen last term and his popularity faded amid injury problems and never-ending links with moves away.

Amad

Signed: January 2021 from Atalanta (up to €40million)

Another signing made with one eye on the future, Amad dazzled in his first weeks at United, but his development stagnated last season and things did not go entirely to plan for him on loan with Rangers. Sunderland won the race for him this summer and he will spend this term in the Championship.

Bruno Fernandes

Signed: January 2020 from Sporting Lisbon (£56.7million)

Perhaps the crown jewel when it comes to Solskjaer recruits. Fernandes took the Premier League by storm and his numbers for United (51 goals and 40 assists in 134 appearances) are hugely impressive. He might not have been at his very best last campaign, but there were mitigating circumstances, and the Portugal sensation has been a crucial figure since Ten Hag stepped into the hot seat.

Tom Heaton

Signed: July 2021 from Aston Villa (free transfer)

Nurtured in the United system, it was a special moment for the club - and Heaton - when he returned last summer and eventually made his debut, aged 35. He remains third choice behind David de Gea and Martin Dubravka with Dean Henderson currently out on loan.

Daniel James

Signed: July 2019 from Swansea (£16million)

Sold: August 2021 to Leeds (£26million)

While he remains a good player in his own right, James never quite made the grade. After conjuring up only 18 direct goal contributions in 74 matches, the Wales speedster was sold to Leeds and has since moved on loan to Fulham.

Harry Maguire was signed for £80million from Leicester City. (Manchester United via Getty Images)

Harry Maguire

Signed: August 2019 from Leicester (£78.3million)

Solskjaer went big during his first summer and Maguire was the marquee signing. Although the England defender is still club captain, he faces difficulties in breaking back into the United team given how well Raphael Varane and new signing Lisandro Martinez have performed in tandem this season.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Signed: August 2021 from Juventus (£13.5million)

An iconic superstar who, quite simply, needs no introduction given his immense standing in the game. It looked as though his second coming at Old Trafford might be brought to a premature end, but continuous speculation failed to bring firm offers and Ronaldo is still part of the plan moving forward. He scored against Sheriff on Thursday night with his 699th goal for Sporting, United, Real Madrid and Juventus combined.

Facundo Pellistri

Signed: October 2020 from Penarol (£7.65million)

In a similar boat to Amad - without such a hefty price tag. Pellistri had mixed fortunes in two loan spells with La Liga outfit Alaves over 18 months and he remains in the backdrop at United this season.

Jadon Sancho

Signed: July 2021 from Borussia Dortmund (£72.9million)

A move four years in the making, Solskjaer finally landed Sancho for £72.9m last summer. He was slow to start and much was expected after his incredible tally (50 goals and 64 assists in 137 appearances) with the German side, but the 22-year-old is looking more and more a United player.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer chats to Donny van de Beek at Carrington. (Manchester United via Getty Images)

Alex Telles

Signed: October 2020 from FC Porto (£13.5million)

Telles was brought in to provide competition for Luke Shaw at left-back and it was the England player who stayed in pole position there. However, with Tyrell Malacia arriving this summer, Ten Hag did not need the Brazilian, 29, and he has made six early-season appearances for Spanish side Sevilla on loan.

Donny van de Beek

Signed: September 2020 from Ajax (£35million)

It bordered on bizarre how little the Netherlands midfielder was used by Solskjaer after he spent £35m to attract his signature. However, even since Ten Hag was appointed the ex-Ajax playmaker has been unable to pin down a regular place and he faces another uphill battle this season once he recovers from injury.

Raphael Varane

Signed: August 2021 from Real Madrid (£34million)

Injuries restricted him to only 29 appearances during his debut campaign and United missed their classy World Cup winner dearly when he was not available. Varane and his importance to the side has already been underlined since Ten Hag took over and the former Real defender has struck up a superb partnership with Martinez to leave Maguire and others on the periphery.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Signed: July 2019 from Crystal Palace (£49.5million)

It cost nearly £50m for Solskjaer to secure his services in 2019 and Ten Hag put the player up for sale this summer. The decision has been completely vindicated by Diogo Dalot performing so well at right-back.

MORE TO READ:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.