Ole Gunnar Solskjaer both played with and managed Cristiano Ronaldo – but his Manchester United exit isn’t the one that saddens him the most.
Instead it’s Red Devils academy graduate Scott McTominay, who has been smashing it at Napoli since his move to Italy last summer.
Solskjaer returned to Old Trafford in December 2018 following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.
After three months as caretaker manager, he became the club’s permanent boss in March 2019.
He would go on to spend two full seasons in charge before leaving United in November 2021 – with Ronaldo following him out the door the following year.
His tenure included a second place finish behind Manchester City during his final full campaign in the dugout.
Over three years on from his exit, Solskjaer has revealed he still watches United ‘when I can’.
However, he admits he wishes McTominay had not been sold in the summer.
When asked if he still watches his old club’s matches, Solskjaer told The Athletic: “When I can.
“It’s still good to see Bruno Fernandes and Harry (Maguire) doing well. And Scotty is doing well at Napoli.
“I’m upset that we let him go because he was important last season when he kept popping up with goals. His heart and his knowledge of the culture were important.”
McTominay left the club for Napoli in the summer after 22 years with the Red Devils.
The midfielder made a total of 255 first-team appearances, scoring 29 goals for his boyhood club.
GettyMcTominay left United for Napoli in the summer after 22 years with the club[/caption]
GettyThe midfielder made 255 appearances for the Red Devils[/caption]
Of those matches, 115 were with Solskjaer as manager, with McTominay finding the net 14 times during his tenure.
The Scotland international also won the FA Cup and was United’s third top scorer behind Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes last term.
Since moving to Italy, he has scored seven goals and provided four assists in 25 appearances for Antonio Conte’s Napoli.
Meanwhile, Solskjaer is now back in management with Besiktas after turning down 40 job offers since leaving United.
The 52-year-old explained: “At least 40. But they weren’t right; I need to be in my job. I’m a people-person; I use the human capital around me.
“So why Besiktas? It’s a huge club with a great history in an amazing city. But I’d spoken to them twice before, six months ago and a year ago.
“It was different this time with the president and the way he spoke about bringing the old Besiktas back with values and respect.
“Human values like never giving up, always fighting. And they want quick, attacking football.”
Solskjaer was appointed in January on a deal until the end of next season.
He has since won six of his eight matches in charge, losing just once.