Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals Man Utd staff member who had concerns about Cristiano Ronaldo return in 2021
WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer discusses Cristiano Ronaldo
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed Kieran McKenna had concerns about Manchester United's decision to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo back in the summer transfer window of 2021.
The Red Devils decided to bring the Portugal international back to Old Trafford that year, with the veteran previously looking set to join Manchester City.
Ronaldo enjoyed a dream start to his second stint at United, scoring twice in a 4-1 win over Newcastle on his debut.
Yet he was never able to fire the club to silverware and he left for Al-Nassr in November 2022 after falling out with Erik ten Hag.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Man Utd legend returned to Old Trafford back in 2021 after previously being linked with Man City
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Solskjaer has previously admitted that, in hindsight, he wouldn't have brought Ronaldo back.
And he's now revealed that McKenna, who was his assistant at the time, was worried that United were prioritising the wrong area.
Speaking to Norweigan outlet NRK, Solskjaer said that McKenna had watched Ronaldo's last six matches with Juventus.
"'How are we going to defend ourselves?' That's the first thing he says," Solskjaer said.
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The 51-year-old then doubled down on his stance that United made a mistake by bringing Ronaldo home.
"It was probably a wrong choice for all of us," added the former striker, who won six league titles during his time in Manchester.
"But we felt it was the right decision then and there."
Solskjaer initially arrived as United manager on an interim basis in December 2018, shortly after the dismissal of Jose Mourinho.
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He secured the position on a permanent basis after a stunning run that saw the Red Devils beat the likes of Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
Solskjaer also steered United to the final of the Europa League in 2021.
They were beaten by Villarreal, however, with the Spanish side winning on penalties after David de Gea fluffed his lines.
United have since regressed, with the fallen giants struggling under Erik ten Hag prior to his recent sacking.
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Cristiano Ronaldo: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Kieran McKenna was worried by Man Utd's decision to re-sign the veteran in 2021
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Ruud van Nistelrooy, a former team-mate of Solskjaer's, has been keeping the seat warm for Ruben Amorim.
And though Solskjaer couldn't win a trophy with United, he's still proud of everything he achieved during his time in the dugout.
"I am proud of what I did," he continued.
"I have to say, I think it was a lot of good, and we were on our way to something very good.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists he's proud of what he achieved during his time as Man Utd manager
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"We came third and second, got a number of semi-finals, and unfortunately, we lost that final [against Villarreal].
"That's how I think about it, if we had won it, it could have been a completely different outcome."
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