Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals Alex Ferguson called him and apologised after criticising the manager

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson apologized after being caught on camera criticizing the Norwegian manager’s decision to bench Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Manchester United’s 2021 draw with Everton.

Ronaldo was surprisingly named as a substitute for United’s clash with the Toffees, despite scoring five goals in six games following his return to Old Trafford earlier in the year.

Ronaldo was brought on after 57 minutes, but that didn’t stop Ferguson from condemning Solskjaer’s tactical decision during a chat with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Ferguson spoke to the Dagestan fighter after the match at Old Trafford and when the subject of the match came up, the Scot said: “But I also think when they (Everton) saw Ronaldo not playing it made it a bit… ‘

Khabib replied: “He came in the second half…” – but Ferguson interrupted the UFC legend and said: “I know, but you always have to start with your best players.”

Ferguson was caught on camera criticizing Solskjaer’s decision to bench Cristiano Ronaldo

Ferguson’s comments went viral and Solskjaer had to defend his decision to bench Ronaldo in his post-match interview. The decision was the right one for me today’.

Solskjaer has now revealed that Ferguson called him shortly after the video was posted on social media and apologized for his comments – claiming he knew how ‘tough it was’.

Solskjaer told The athletic: ‘That’s the only time Sir Alex has ever apologized to me. He was caught on a video saying “You always have to play your best players”, after Ronaldo started one match on the bench.

“He (Ferguson) called me and apologized because he knows how hard it is.”

Solskjaer was sacked from his Manchester United role in November 2021 after the club’s 4–1 defeat to Watford continued a catastrophic run of results.

He had lost seven of his last 13 games, forcing the club to take action and relieve him of his duties.

A club statement read: ‘Manchester United announce that Ole Gunar Solskjaer has stepped down from his role as manager.

Ole will always be a legend at Manchester United and we are sorry we have come to this difficult decision.

While the past few weeks have been disappointing, they should not obscure all the work he has done over the past three years to rebuild the foundations for long-term success.

Ferguson spoke to Khabib Nurmagomedov after the 2021 draw with Everton

Ole leaves with our sincere thanks for his tireless efforts as a manager and our very best wishes for the future.

“His place in the club’s history will always be safe, not only because of his story as a player, but also as a great man and manager who has given us many great moments.”

He will forever be welcome at Old Trafford as part of the Manchester United family.

“Michael Carrick will now take charge of the team for the next few games, while the club is looking for an interim manager before the end of the season.”