Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said the club’s struggles are difficult to watch. United is languishing in the 15th place in the Premier League standings with 10 wins, nine draws, and 15 losses. The Red Devils have accumulated only 39 points after 34 matches and this has been one of their worst seasons ever in their history.
However, United is still in the Europa League race and have a 3-0 lead against Athletic Club in the semifinal.
“Man United is my family and will always be part of me,” Solskjaer told the BBC.
“In football, you don’t feel sorry for anyone because we are privileged, absolutely 100% privileged to be able to work in clubs like this.
“But for me, it is hard to watch because it is your family that is struggling. It is never easy at the weekend when you look at the table.”
Under Solskjaer, Besiktas sit fourth in the Turkish Super Lig and if they finish among the top three teams, they would earn a Europa League playoff spot for next season’s competition.
Asked why he opted to take the reins at Besiktas, Solskjaer said: “The club is fantastic. I spoke to a lot without doing anything about it. This was the only one I spoke to where I looked back afterwards and thought ‘I wish I was there’ because there is so much potential.
“You feel the identity and culture in the club is aligned with you; the values about honesty, community work. We were the first club in Turkey to go abroad to play. It is very similar to Man United in that sense. It just reminded me of Man United when I was there.”
Meanwhile, Besiktas will take on Mourinho’s Fenerbahce who are second in the table, eight points short of Galatasaray.
“I saw from Gala, when you are at home and winning these games there is nothing better,” he says.
United will take on Brentford on Sunday.
