Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals his first thought after taking over at Man Utd
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER immediately thought about how he could make Manchester United a winning team upon being appointed interim boss in December.
Man Utd: Solskjaer needs to ‘overhaul’ team claims Parker
The Norwegian arrived at Old Trafford after emerging as a surprise candidate to succeed the axed Jose Mourinho.
Solskjaer took to the role like a duck to water, however, and won his first eight games as the club began to rise from the ashes.
After recording 14 wins in 19 games, Solskjaer was hired on a three-year contract during the most recent international break.
While trying to secure Champions League football next season either through winning the competition itself or finishing in the top four, foundations are currently being laid for a busy summer transfer window.
The 46-year-old believes a high-octane, youthful side will give him the best chance of success - and the manager revealed in a recent interview with ESPN that he has been obsessing over what makes a “winning team” ever since he stepped back through the doors at Carrington.
"When I came back here as the manager I thought a lot about what makes a winning team,” he revealed.
“What does it really take to win on the biggest stage?
When I came back here as the manager I thought a lot about what makes a winning team
“I’m not one to sit back, rest on my laurels and think: 'That was a great time' - it's more thinking about what did we do to get there.”
Much of Solskjaer’s methods spawn from his time under Sir Alex Ferguson, who he frequently references in his interviews.
He believes the legendary Scot paved the way at Old Trafford, and Solskjaer is doing his utmost to replicate it.
"What did the manager tell us?” Solskjaer says he questions himself.
“What kind of master team talks did he have? When did he speak to us? All these little things.”
If he discovers the answer to those questions, Solskjaer believes Manchester United have every chance of success, starting with the Champions League this season.
The Red Devils face Barcelona in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Wednesday night, 20 years on from their memorable triumph in the competition.
"United fans want us to win it because they want to win it," Solskjaer said.
"I think we should look at what we can achieve and not what we can stop others achieving.
"You've got to aim high. You cannot aim too low at this club. You've got to aim to win titles.”