Manchester United Legend Backed To Replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Former Premier League manager Mark Hughes explained why Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs is a suitable replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Red Devils manager.

In a recent interview with BBC Sport, Hughes said that he is positive his fellow Red Devils legend now has a better chance at landing the head coach position after missing out on the chance to manage United in 2016.

"Ryan [Giggs] is in a good place in his management career,” Hughes said. "He is on an upward trend," said Hughes. He is probably more likely to get an opportunity at Manchester United than he was when [Louis] van Gaal left [in 2016]."

In May 2016, United appointed legendary manager Jose Mourinho to fill the void Louis van Gaal left because the club wanted someone with a "big name" to rival Manchester City's Pep Guardiola.

Hughes added that while Giggs may not have had the skills and experience Mourinho had at the time, the 13-time Premier League champion is now equipped with the right elements for the job. A successful European Championship with Wales would also make Giggs a serious contender for the position, according to the former Southampton boss.

"Maybe they [United] felt his management CV wasn't strong enough at that point, but if he goes to the European Championship and does well, then there's no reason why he won't be in the frame," the 56-year-old continued.

Hughes pointed out that Sir Alex Ferguson and Van Gaal playing a huge role in honing Giggs also adds to his credibility.

"Obviously he [Giggs] was mentored by Sir Alex [Ferguson] for many years and in later years he was able to work alongside him," he added. "He then worked very closely with Van Gaal for a couple of years, which I felt was a good decision by him and the club."

Giggs was handed his first managerial task in 2018 with Wales. As an athlete, he is considered "the most decorated player" the Premier League has ever produced.

Another former English top-flight manager also recently weighed in on Solskjaer’s situation. According to ex-Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp, the Norwegian needs to fix United’s current problems and stop focusing on the future.

“Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer], he needs players for now, not tomorrow,” Redknapp said. "There are no tomorrows, tomorrows are way off. You’d imagine ‘oh, they have got a five-year plan,' there are no five-year plans, there is a six-game plan in this game."

"You [Solskjaer] have a bad run of results, they are after you," the former Premier League boss added. "We’ve seen it already this season. One or two clubs have spent money and it doesn’t take very long. A few bad results and you are under pressure, so he needs players for now, there is no long-term."