Ole reveals: Ancelotti declined taking over Man Utd for one big reason

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has looked back on his spell in the Manchester United dugout, and, unintentionally, revealed a brilliant anecdote with Carlo Ancelotti that, in his view, sums up the madness of managing at Old Trafford better than anything else.

The Norwegian, a club legend on the pitch and nearly three years in the hot seat, delivered second and third-place finishes in his two full Premier League seasons. Solskjaer recorded 91 wins in 168 games, but no silverware.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Solskjaer relived a moment with Ancelotti - then Everton manager - during a match against the Toffees:

"I remember one game. I'm standing in my technical area, and Carlo keeps drifting across, drifting across, until he's basically in mine. The fourth official goes, 'Carlo, you need to get back - unless you want Ole's job.' And he says, 'No, no, no… too much pressure. That job is too much pressure.'"

Solskjaer laughed before he added:

"I've always said pressure is a privilege. And I felt privileged to be the manager of Manchester United. But you're also the face of absolutely everything surrounding the club."

Despite the scrutiny and the eventual sack, Solskjaer insists he has zero regrets:

"That pressure was still a privilege. I was allowed to handle it my way, with a fantastic staff and a really positive environment. But in the end, you need results. We had a very bad six-week spell, and at a club like United, that's far too long."

And with United struggling since his departure - only one top-five finish in the last four seasons - he was asked whether he feels under-appreciated.

"It's not about credit," he replied. "It was the worst time to be Manchester United manager: Klopp's Liverpool, Guardiola's City… the two best managers in the world with the two best teams at the time, probably. And we still finished second and third. We had something going, we just couldn’t take the next step."

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 13

Saturday

18.00: (1.48) Brentford (4.40) Burnley (8.00)

18.00: (1.25) Manchester City (6.50) Leeds (14.0)

18.00: (3.15) Sunderland (3.45) Bournemouth (2.40)

20.30: (2.85) Everton (3.40) Newcastle (2.60)

23.00: (2.20) Tottenham (3.40) Fulham (3.30)

Sunday

15.00: (2.40) Crystal Palace (3.50) Manchester Utd. (3.00)

17.05: (1.50) Aston Villa (4.20) Wolverhampton (6.75)

17.05: (2.85) Nottingham Forest (3.35) Brighton (2.65)

17.05: (4.50) West Ham (4.25) Liverpool (1.75)

19.30: (3.35) Chelsea (3.45) Arsenal (2.25)

***odds are subject to change***