Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted that he’s his own man and that he rarely seeks advice from former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, a succession of managers have struggled to emulate his success, with Solskjaer the latest man attempting to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.
During the Scotsman’s 26-year reign, Manchester United won 13 Premier League titles as well as two Champions League titles, with Solskjaer playing a key role in the remarkable treble in the 1998/99 season.
Now at the helm, the Norwegian will be hoping to be the man to end the Red Devils eight-year wait for a league title, while the club are also in something of a barren run with regards to trophies, their last coming back in 2017.
The 47-year-old admits he has learned plenty from his former manager during his playing career, but insists he rarely asks the man he still calls ‘the gaffer’ for advice.
“I am probably influenced by the gaffer by the 15 years I worked with him of course, but we’re different personalities,” Solskjaer said ahead of Manchester United’s game against West Brom on Sunday.
“I manage the way I think is the right way – I don’t ask anyone how I should manage.
“It has been a while since I had a conversation with the gaffer and I’ve not asked him how I should play this one or that one out. It’s been gradual since I came to Man United, I have grown into becoming this person.”
The Red Devils are currently enjoying a much-improved run of form after a difficult start to the season, which saw them suffer home defeats to the likes of Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Arsenal, as well as suffering an early exit from the Champions League.
That slow start inevitably put pressure on Solskjaer’s future at the club, although his side look to have put it behind them, with the United boss putting their sluggish opening to a lack of a pre-season.
“We were disadvantaged at the start of the season with the lack of a pre-season,” added Solskjaer. “Us and [Man] City actually, who had played in Europe and had less preparation.
“The performances of the two teams has been remarkable to catch up after such a difficult start. We lost very many points then because of the lack of preparation and pre-season.”
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