Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has expressed his disappointment over a Manchester United transfer decision from last summer.
The former United manager and player, who won six Premier League titles and the Champions League during his Old Trafford tenure, oversaw the club for three years before his exit in November 2021.
After a hiatus of over three years, Solskjaer returned to management at the beginning of 2025, taking the reins at Turkish Super Lig outfit Besiktas.
Solskjaer continues to follow United
While now focused on Besiktas, Solskjaer continues to follow United when possible and takes pleasure in watching former players like Bruno Fernandes excel.
Solskjaer was particularly ‘upset’ by the departure of Scott McTominay, who left United for Napoli in a £25m deal after spending his entire career at the club.
McTominay has made a strong start in Naples, contributing to Antonio Conte’s Serie A title challenge.
In an interview with The Athletic, Solskjaer noted: ‘When I can, I still follow. It’s great to see Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire doing well. Scotty is thriving at Napoli. I’m upset we let him go; he was crucial last season with his goals, and his understanding of the culture was vital.’
Besiktas is a massive club
‘However, my focus is here now. Besiktas is a massive club with fans around Turkey and the world. In an away cup match at the Olympic Stadium, we brought 12,000 fans, which felt like 40,000 due to their energy.’
‘Besiktas is more than just a football club; it originated as a gymnastics club. The community aspect is significant, sharing parallels with United, and they were the first Turkish club to compete internationally.’
Solskjaer, who took charge at Besiktas in January, stated: ‘I have a substantial task ahead. My role is to help every player reach their best potential, and the staff too. I want them to feel valued here.’
He also revealed that he turned down ‘at least 40’ job offers during his time away from management, emphasising the need for the right opportunity.
‘I’ve had many offers, but they weren’t the right fit. I thrive on collaboration with the people around me,’ he said. ‘Why Besiktas? It’s a prestigious club with a rich history in an incredible city. I had spoken to them previously, both six months and a year ago.’
‘This time felt different with the president’s vision of restoring the club’s values, and the emphasis on resilience and attacking football.’
