The 14 signings Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made at Manchester United, where they are now and they Rating

Manchester United fired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November 2021, after nearly three years in charge, and he remains a popular figure at Old Trafford despite how things went for him as manager.

Initially replaced on an interim basis by Ralf Rangnick, Solskjaer was finally followed by former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, who continues to mold the United side into his own. However, Solskjaer has welcomed back a large number of first-team players.

Perhaps not surprising considering that Solskjaer was still in command a year ago, but Ten Hag and his backroom team have already judged several of the Norwegian’s signings surplus to needs.

Here are the 14 permanent signings made by Solskjaer throughout his tenure as manager, as well as their current status.

1. Nathan Bishop

Southend signed in January 2020. (undisclosed fee)

Bishop, who could otherwise have gone unnoticed, was signed by Solskjaer and earmarked as a potential prospect. He played 53 games for League Two side, Mansfield, last season and has been kept in-house this season to see how he performs in Premier League 2.

2. Edinson Cavani

PSG signed: October 2020 (free transfer)

Sold to Valencia in August 2022 (free transfer)

For the Uruguayan veteran, his time at United was bittersweet. Even in his later years, his all-action displays endeared him to the Old Trafford fans. However, the 35-year-old was barely seen last season, and his popularity eroded as a result of physical issues and never-ending speculation of a move away.

3. Amad

Atalanta (up to €40 million) signed in January 2021.

Amad, another signing created with the future in mind, shined in his opening weeks at United, but his growth stalled last season and things did not go completely as planned for him on loan with Rangers. Sunderland won the race for him this summer, and he will compete in the Championship this season.

4. Bruno Fernandes

Sporting Lisbon (£56.7 million) signed him in January 2020.

Perhaps the crown jewel of Solskjaer’s recruitments. Fernandes dominated the Premier League, and his statistics for United (51 goals and 40 assists in 134 matches) are staggering. He may not have been at his best last season, but there were mitigating circumstances, and the Portugal sensation has been a pivotal role since Ten Hag took over as manager.

5. Tom Heaton

Aston Villa signed him in July 2021. (free transfer)

It was a momentous moment for the club – and for Heaton – when he returned last summer and eventually made his debut, aged 35. With Dean Henderson on loan, he is still the third choice after David de Gea and Martin Dubravka.

6. Daniel James

Swansea (£16 million) signed him in July 2019.

Leeds (£26 million) was purchased in August 2021.

While James is still a terrific player in his own right, he never quite made the cut. After making only 18 direct goal contributions in 74 games, Wales’ speedster was sold to Leeds and is now on loan at Fulham.

7. Harry Maguire

Leicester (£78.3 million) signed him in August 2019.

During his first summer as manager, Solskjaer went all-in on Maguire. Despite the fact that the England defender is still club captain, he will have a difficult time integrating back into the United lineup given how well Raphael Varane and new arrival Lisandro Martinez have done together this season.

8. Cristiano Ronaldo

Juventus (£13.5 million) signed him in August 2021.

An iconic superstar who, given his stature in the game, requires no introduction. Ronaldo’s second stint at Old Trafford appeared to be over, but persistent rumors failed to yield firm offers, and he remains a part of the strategy moving ahead. On Thursday night, he scored his 699th goal for Sporting, United, Real Madrid, and Juventus combined.

9. Facundo Pellistri

Penarol (£7.65 million) was signed in October 2020.

In the same boat as Amad, but without the high price tag. Pellistri had mixed results in two loan periods at La Liga club Alaves over the course of 18 months, and he remains in the shadows at United this season.

10. Jadon Sancho

Borussia Dortmund (£72.9 million) signed him in July 2021.

Solskjaer finally landed Sancho for £72.9 million last summer, four years in the making. He was slow to get going, and much was expected following his phenomenal tally with the German side (50 goals and 64 assists in 137 appearances), but the 22-year-old is looking more and more like a United player.

11. Alex Telles

FC Porto (£13.5 million) signed him in October 2020.

Telles was brought in to compete with Luke Shaw at left-back, but it was the England player who held the position. Ten Hag did not need the Brazilian, 29, with Tyrell Malacia joining this summer, and he has made six early-season outings for Spanish side Sevilla on loan.

12. Donny van de Beek

Ajax (£35 million) signed him in September 2020.

It was surprising how little Solskjaer utilized the Netherlands midfielder after spending £35 million to sign him. However, even since his appointment, the ex-Ajax playmaker has struggled to establish himself as a regular, and he faces another uphill battle this season after he recovers from injury.

13. Raphael Varane

Real Madrid (£34 million) signed him in August 2021.

Injuries limited him to only 29 appearances in his rookie season, and United missed their exquisite World Cup winner greatly while he was unavailable. Varane’s importance to the team has already been emphasized since Ten Hag took over, and the former Real Madrid defender has formed an excellent partnership with Martinez, leaving Maguire and others on the outside looking in.

14. Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Crystal Palace (£49.5 million) signed him in July 2019.

Solskjaer paid over £50 million to sign him in 2019, and Ten Hag placed him up for sale this summer. Diogo Dalot’s performance at right-back has thoroughly vindicated the choice.