Brede Hangeland thinks Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is so heavily “influenced” by his time under Sir Alex Ferguson that he will try to imitate the former Manchester United manager at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer was confirmed as United’s caretaker manager for the rest of the season by the club on Wednesday, almost exactly 24 hours after Jose Mourinho’s sacking.
After firing Mourinho for failing in terms of style and substance on Tuesday morning, the club acted quickly to bring in their former striker and reserve team coach.
Molde boss Solskjaer has been brought in until the end of the campaign and will be joined by first-team coach Mike Phelan, who will work alongside Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna.
Solskjaer won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League under Ferguson’s tutelage and Hangeland claims you can see similarities between the pair.
Hangeland, who is a former Norwegian team-mate of Solskjaer, told The Times: “Solskjaer is so influenced by Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I don’t think I’ve met anyone so influenced by any one person other than their parents.
“He talks about him still as the boss, he tells stories from those days all the time and he models everything he does on Sir Alex.
“He looks like the nicest boy ever. But he does have another side to him… he knows what he wants.
“Sir Alex had a temper so Solskjaer will try to replicate his old manager as best he can.
“I’ve seen Ole raise his voice; it’s a calculated move to get attention. He’s a calm, sensible man by nature.
“The good managers are calm and are acting when they supposedly lose their temper.
“He has a persona that means you would rather live up to his standards than take the yelling afterwards.”