Ex-Liverpool star makes feelings clear on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer return to Man Utd

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Former Liverpool forward Stan Collymore has made his stance clear on the possibility of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returning to Manchester United, arguing that the club must look forward rather than back if it wants to re-establish itself at the top of English and European football.

Reflecting on Solskjaer’s previous spell in charge, Collymore acknowledges the Norwegian’s legendary status as a player and the goodwill he initially enjoyed among supporters. He notes that Solskjaer did bring some stability after the chaos that followed Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, and that he oversaw some memorable performances and results. However, Collymore stresses that United ultimately fell short when it mattered most, particularly in big games and in the pursuit of major trophies, exposing limitations in Solskjaer’s tactical approach and in-game management.

Collymore argues that a return to Solskjaer would signal that United has not learned from past mistakes. In his view, top clubs cannot operate on sentiment or nostalgia, especially when competing against the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and other elite European sides with highly detailed, modern coaching structures. He contrasts United’s recent reliance on former players and emotional appointments with the more ruthlessly meritocratic models seen at their rivals.

From a Liverpool perspective, Collymore points out that supporters at Anfield have witnessed how clear vision, strong leadership and a defined footballing identity can transform a club. He implies that United needs exactly that kind of coherent project rather than another attempt to recapture past glories through a popular former player.

Ultimately, Collymore’s message is that while Solskjaer deserves respect for his playing career and dignified conduct as manager, bringing him back would be a regressive step. If Manchester United is serious about returning to the summit, he insists, it must pursue a forward-thinking, elite-level coach instead of revisiting an era that has already proven insufficient.