Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has shockingly claimed Manchester United players did not want to be captain for certain games during his time as manager.
Solskjaer became United's manager on a caretaker basis in December 2018 and then ended up getting the job permanently and lasting until November 2021.
He led United to second in the 2020/21 season and also reached the Europa League final, losing on penalties to Villarreal.
Advert
Solskjaer named Harry Maguire as captain in January 2020 after Ashley Young moved to Inter Milan and he kept the armband until Erik ten Hag passed it onto Bruno Fernandes on a permanent basis in the summer.
But in a new bombshell interview, Solskjaer has revealed that some United players refused to be captain for specific games in a move he called "petty".
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Solskjaer commented: "No one said ‘No’ to being the club captain, it was just for certain games. [On whether they said,' I don’t want to be captain for this match.'] Yes, but they didn’t want to say it themselves, they had other people come up to me and say it. It was disappointing. It’s a different generation, its Gen Z.
Advert
“It’s petty and shows a lack of ambition.”
Solskjaer did not name the player but did mention that although he feels current skipper Fernandes has some traits needed to be a captain, he told him he is too emotional for the role on occasion.
He explained: “I knew Bruno Fernandes had captain qualities when I was manager at Manchester United. He’s got the personality and quality, but he knows and I’ve told him, that he’s too passionate at times and he loses a bit of control. I loved Harry Maguire as a captain, he was the leader in that group for me when I was at the club.”
Advert
Solskjaer also went on to reveal that a number of players refused to do interviews before games during his time at the helm.
According to the 51-year-old, only Fernandes, Maguire, Victor Lindelof, David de Gea and Luke Shaw were happy to fulfil the pre-match duties.
“Many players said no to doing the pre-match interviews, the three questions," Solskjaer admitted.
Advert
You had the go-to’s, Bruno [Fernandes] always did it, Harry [Maguire] always did it, Victor [Lindelof] did it, David [De Gea] did it, Luke Shaw did it. The others were worried about the questions, so preferred not to do it.”
“You’re scared of the whole reaction maybe, but you also understand some of the players’ mental health.”
Featured Image Credit: The Overlap & GettyTopics: Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Bruno Fernandes