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Solskjaer must improve on Cardiff record to be a caretaker hit at United

Solskjaer must improve on Cardiff record to be a caretaker hit at United

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has been appointed caretaker manager at Manchester United until the end of the season.

The 45-year-old found success in two spells in charge of Norwegian side Molde, securing 1.82 points per game on average in his first reign and a just as impressive 1.80 points per game in his most recent tenure.

However, Solksjaer did not have as successful a time at Cardiff, when he was announced as Bluebirds boss in January 2014 to replace Malky Mackay.

PA Graphic

He won his first game in charge after Cardiff came from behind to beat Newcastle 2-1, but after that is was a struggle, with Solksjaer’s side only claiming an average of 0.67 points a game until their eventual relegation.

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Cardiff only won three of Solskjaer’s 18 Premier League matches in charge with three draws and 12 defeats.

Cardiff fared slightly better at the start of the next season in the Championship, with Solksjaer’s return upping to an average of 1.14 points for the seven games he was in charge before he was sacked on September 18 2014.

His return to Molde brought more success, but Manchester United fans will be more interested in seeing if he can improve his Premier League points return, given the stature at the club and the stars now at his disposal.

Solskjaer's career in numbers:

  • 6 - Premier League titles won with United, between 1996-1997 and 2006-2007.
  • £1.5m - transfer fee paid by United to sign the forward from Molde in July 1996.
  • 9 - games won during a 30-match spell as Cardiff manager in 2014.
  • 18 - Premier League goals scored during his first season at Old Trafford.
  • 2 - number of Norwegian league titles won as manager with Molde and FA Cup victories in England as a United player.
  • 235 - Premier League appearances.
  • 67 - international caps for Norway, scoring 23 goals.
  • 91- Premier League goals.
  • 1999 - year Solskjaer's goal deep into stoppage time earned Manchester United a dramatic 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final at the Nou Camp.

- Press Association

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