OLE GUNNER SOLSKJAER has revealed in a new interview that he pleaded with United to sign five top players before he ultimately lost his job.

Solskjaer was sacked following a 4-1 away defeat to Watford in November 2021 after a start to the season which saw them lose five of their opening seven games.

Solskjaer claims he tried to sign Kane, Bellingham, Haaland, Rice and Caicedo while at UnitedCredit: PA

In an interview with The Athletic, Solskjaer opened up on everything that went wrong during his tenure, including tactics, signings and the club’s ownership.

And one area where he feels that he was not backed was in bringing transfers in.

Solskjaer said he identified a number of stars with potential that United failed to sign during his tenure.

He claims that United “couldn’t” sign these young players and when he was asked by The Athletic who they were he said: “Erling Haaland, before he made his Salzburg debut.

“Declan Rice, who wouldn’t have cost what he did in the summer.

“We discussed Moises Caicedo, but we felt we needed players ready for there and then.

“Brighton are very good at letting players come from abroad and find their feet for a year and a half.

“At United, you don’t have that luxury and that has cost the club loads of players.

He also explained how he’d asked the United board to sign Jude Bellingham, saying: “We wanted Jude Bellingham badly — he’s a Man United player, but I respect he chose Dortmund. That was probably sensible.

he wanted Bellingham BEFORE he went to Borussia Dortmund Credit: Getty

“But it’s why I respect Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Dan James and Jadon [Sancho].

“Young players prepared to come into a team that wasn’t 100 per cent there like it was when I arrived.”

He also explained how he would have done his utmost to sign Harry Kane this summer had he still been the United manager.

He said he “would have signed Kane every day of the week”Credit: Getty

Reports emerged yesterday that Kane “had his heart set” on a move to United and even would have waited until next summer to make the move on a free.

But united were not interested after turning their attentions to £72million rated Rasmus Hojlund.

Speaking about his long-term interest in Kane, Solskjaer said: “I would have signed Kane every day of the week and my understanding was that he wanted to come.

“But the club didn’t have the budget with the financial constraints from Covid-19, there was no bottomless pit.”

Kane himself commented on United’s interest this summer, saying: “Man United option for me last summer? Obviously there were talks with different clubs.

“But FC Bayern was a club I was really interested in. Once they came in there weren’t many other options.

“Manchester United is a big club but I’m very happy here.”