Manchester United should appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but keep it private for now, says Ryan Giggs

February 18, 2019
Posted by Steven Tan | Source from Sky Sports
Manchester United should appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the club's next permanent manager, but keep it private for now, says Ryan Giggs.
 
Solskjaer showed signs of the "inner steel" needed for management while a player for United, according to his former team-mate Giggs, who was the first player of the Sir Alex Ferguson era to lead the Old Trafford dugout.
 
Giggs became interim manager when David Moyes was sacked in 2014, before becoming Louis van Gaal's assistant the following season.
 
He says Van Gaal would tell United vice-chairman Ed Woodward that "Ryan will take over" after the Dutchman saw out his three-year contract.
 
But Giggs was not interested in taking over from Jose Mourinho.
 
"No, not really," he told the Guardian. "It might have been different if I wasn't the Welsh coach.
 
"Ole's done a fantastic job. I've obviously been in touch with him and he's given players freedom and also done well tactically. The confidence is huge. He's got smiles back on their faces."
 
Solskjaer remains unbeaten in the Premier League as United's caretaker manager, with defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie the only real blip on his record to date.
 
He has done enough to get the job full time for Giggs.
 
"We've messed around far too long," said Giggs. "When you've got someone who knows the club, who is tactically astute, clearly has the players and fans on board, that gives you lots of momentum.
 
"There will be bumps in the road but most fans imagine what he could do with the money that's been spent the last few years."
 
But Giggs believes United should adopt a similar tactic to rivals Manchester City in their preparations for a future under Solskjaer.
 
"I wouldn't be in any rush because you don't want to derail the current situation," he added. "Planning is more important than the announcement. Look at Guardiola. He got in Man City players he wanted the year before he took over.
 
"So, if it is Ole, keep it amongst the club and start planning. Our problem the past few years is that we were always playing catch-up.
 
"We should identify the two or three players we need if we're going to win the Premier League and Champions League."
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