IT has nearly been three months since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was relieved of his duties as the manager of Manchester United.
The Norwegian gaffer spent over £400million in transfers during his three years at Old Trafford, but failed to win a single trophy during his time in charge.
Although Solskjaer is no longer at the helm, his presence remains within the dressing room through the players he brought into the football club.
From his first signing in Daniel James to his final one in Cristiano Ronaldo, we look closely at the 14 people he brought in and whether they were a hit or a miss.
14. Tom Heaton
It’s harsh to leave 35-year-old Tom Heaton in the bottom place of the rankings, but he was never going to have the opportunity to start in goal ahead of both David De Gea and Dean Henderson.
However, with his long-awaited return to United after leaving at the age of 18, he will be seen as a figure to look up to in training and someone who can provide advice to players coming through the academy.
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13. Facundo Pellestri
Regarded as a signing for the future, Facundo Pellestri takes 13th place given the lack of game time he has had under Solskjaer.
And there is no certainty on whether the 20-year-old has a place in the first-team squad.
With loan spells in back-to-back seasons at La Liga side Deportivo Alaves, the Uruguay international has shown positive signs as a direct winger, through his burst of pace and trickery.
12. Odion Ighalo
The Nigerian, 32, was brought in on a 12-month loan deal in January 2020 to ease the burden on strikers Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.
Ighalo went on to score on five occasions in 23 appearances for United as he played his role in the Europa League and the domestic cup competitions.
11. Donny van de Beek
If there is one player that has been poorly treated by Solskjaer during his time at United, it has to be none other than Donny van de Beek.
The Dutch midfielder, now on loan at Everton, wasn't able to get much playing time ahead of the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba.
Signed in a deal rising to £40million in 2020, the money has been wasted by the board on a player the manager never needed.
10. Aaron-Wan Bissaka
Aaron-Wan Bissaka played a crucial role defensively in Solskjaer’s first and second season at the club with his one-on-one defending baiing the side out on many occasions.
However, with his lack of technical composure on the ball and the recent rise of Diogo Dalot on both sides of the pitch, fans consider the ex-Crystal Palace man as a shocking signing.
If it wasn’t for the £50million fee paid for him, the 23-year-old would be a few places higher in the rankings.
9. Harry Maguire
United’s defensive issues tend to come through Harry Maguire, who does not have the recovery pace or the quick body movement to keep up with the opposition player.
Despite having two good seasons at the start of his United career, the captain offers more problems than solutions.
As each match passes, the £80million transfer fee continues to raise the eyebrows of the majority of supporters.
8. Amad Diallo
Just like Pellestri, Amad Diallo’s signing was one for the future.
He has already showed some good moments for Manchester United’s U23 team last season as well as some promising moments in the Europa League.
There were not many expectations of Diallo, who joined Rangers on loan last month, to be a regular starter once his move had become official.
But if he is given the opportunity to adapt to the intensity and physicality of English football, then there is a chance of seeing a talented player reaching his potential.
7. Daniel James
Daniel James may not have been one of the most talented players to arrive under Solskjaer, but he made up for this through his work rate and his movement and pace in transition.
He is actually one of the few players that the Red Devils have made a profit on, as he was brought from Swansea City for a fee around £16million.
After two years, he was sold to rivals Leeds for a reported figure of £25million last summer.
6. Alex Telles
Alex Telles’ presence in the matchday squad initially managed to get the best out of Luke Shaw, who was rightly considered one of the best left-backs in Europe last season.
Signing for a fee of £15million, Telles has come in and done a good job as a squad player in his own right, performing well when called upon and showing himself to be a rising leader within the dressing room this season.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s return has consisted of negatives and positives, from hindering the side’s defensive shape and build-up play, to saving the side through his individual moments of brilliance.
Given that he was signed by the board and not by Solskjaer, it hasn’t been the perfect return for Ronaldo, as he isn’t leading the side to a trophy this season.
He may not be the top goalscorer in the Champions League or Premier League, but he has raised the expectation levels to what it used to be.
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4. Raphael Varane
Although he has not been able to play consistently due to injury issues this season, the presence of Raphael Varane in the backline is ever so important.
The Frenchman will be regarded as an important signing left behind by Solskjaer once the side are more organised on and off the ball.
3. Edinson Cavani
Arriving to the club as a free agent, Edinson Cavani has been one of the most underrated signings the club has made over the last decade.
He went on to score 17 goals in all competition in his first season within English football.
Proving to always be a goal threat through his intelligent movement, it’s quite unfortunate he signed for the club at the age of 33 and not when he was at his peak.
2. Jadon Sancho
He may not have hit the ground running since joining in the summer, but Jadon Sancho will play a pivotal role towards any success the club achieves in the long run.
The England international, 21, will be considered as one of Solskjaer’s best signings purely because of his generational talent, and the fact that the manager’s persistence of wanting him paid off.
1. Bruno Fernandes
Without a doubt, Bruno Fernandes has been Solskjaer’s best signing.
The 37-year-old single-handedly helped turn the club's fortunes aroundas they were far off the top four before his arrival in January 2020.
Since he has moved to Old Trafford, the Portuguese international has notched 34 goals and 23 assists in 75 Premier League appearances.
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