What lessons can we learn from Manchester United's departure four years after Solskjaer's departure?

Four years after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left Old Trafford, Manchester United has yet to find its footing. Recurring problems, from transfers to tactical direction, mean that individual trophies haven't translated into sustainable progress. Currently, Ruben Amorim has led a five-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, but the road to resurgence remains long.

The turning point: Watford 1-4 and the farewell in November 2021.

In November 2021, a 1-4 defeat to Watford brought Solskjaer's tenure to an end. The farewell the following day was marked by a rare mix of respect and emotion from both sides. Looking back, Solskjaer himself admitted the shock: "It was like a hard kick. I thought we were heading in the right direction." As Man Utd continued to decline in the following years, what he had built came under even closer scrutiny.

What Solskjaer leaves behind: top-level achievements and experience.

Solskjaer finished two full seasons in third and second place respectively – milestones United haven't come close to since. He led the team to the Europa League final, only to lose on penalties. These results weren't enough to save him from being sacked, but they helped redefine the perspective on tenure: a competitive foundation, albeit lacking the final leap.

Lesson 1: Recruitment must serve the plan.

Amidst the turmoil under Ed Woodward, Solskjaer navigated a flawed transfer system. The need was for a midfielder, but the team brought in Jadon Sancho. United had opportunities with Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland but failed to complete them; deals like Cristiano Ronaldo and Van de Beek put the team in an even more difficult position. This series of mismatched decisions reflects a crucial problem: the recruitment structure doesn't align with the team's playing style.

Key takeaways from the series of discrepancies

• The tactical requirements and the player's profile must match.
• The transfer market needs clear procedures to avoid missing out on priority targets.
• Avoid deals that could negatively impact team balance and the dressing room.

Lesson 2: Titles are no substitute for progress.

Solskjaer's view that "a trophy is sometimes just an ego matter" was once ridiculed, but it's being re-examined in a different light when placed in light of recent reality. Erik ten Hag brought home the Carabao Cup and then the FA Cup, but United didn't make sustainable progress and he was eventually sacked. The message is clear: short-term trophies cannot replace a solid foundation of play.

Solskjaer after Old Trafford

What Solskjaer has yet to prove is that United were wrong to part ways with him. After a temporary break, he tried his luck with Besiktas but was terminated after eight months. However, the key takeaway remains: United are still struggling to rediscover the foundation he once built.

Man Utd's current situation: signals from Ruben Amorim

Ruben Amorim is gradually bringing light to the table with a five-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. This is a positive run of results, suitable for the need for short-term stability. But as the past four years have shown, sustainability depends on two main pillars: a recruitment process aligned with a game plan, and a playing style with a clear foundation.

Questions United needs to address

• Can the transfer system avoid decisions that mismatch demand, as happened in the past?
• Is Amorim's style of play consistent enough to transition from an unbeaten run to a long-term upward trajectory?
• Will future titles – if they come – be accompanied by improved performance or merely fleeting moments?

Four years after the decision to sack Solskjaer, United have enough data to learn from the experience: synchronization between strategy, personnel, and playing style. The current unbeaten run offers hope, but success still requires consistency – something they have lacked for too long.