Manchester United have been transformed since Jose Mourinho's sacking but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes his predecessor has plenty to offer.
José Mourinho's desire to return to elite football is not misplaced in the view of his Manchester United successor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Mourinho made his first major media appearance since being sacked by United last month when he featured as part of beIN Sports' coverage of the Asian Cup on Thursday.
The 55-year-old insisted he would "stay where I belong; I belong to top-level football", despite the dispiriting nature of his final months at Old Trafford.
United are a team transformed under caretaker manager Solskjaer, last weekend's 1-0 triumph at Tottenham making it six wins out of six in all competitions, but the former Norway striker was in no mood to besmirch the achievements of a man who has won major titles in four countries.
"Why shouldn't he [be ambitious]?" Solskjaer said at a news conference to preview Saturday's Premier League match against Brighton and Hove Albion.
"He's a fantastic manager, with the results he's had, I don't think he'll be struggling to find work."
Mourinho also made allusions to player power undermining his regime at United – an issue Solskjaer was understandably unwilling to be drawn on.
"I can't really comment on everything he says," he said. "I'm enjoying working with these boys and that's all I can say."
Marouane Fellaini has proved a divisive figure with the United fanbase but was a reliable lieutenant in Mourinho's eyes.
The Belgium midfielder has not featured in the league since a brief substitute cameo during Solskjaer's first game in charge, a 5-1 win at Cardiff City, and is now facing a month on the sidelines with a calf injury.
"He'll be at least three or four weeks, he's got a calf problem," Solskjaer explained.
"And that's sad because there are X-factors in different players and we all know Felli's X-factor. He'll be working hard to get back when all the big games are coming."
When considering that or other selectorial headaches, Solskjaer will soon be doing so from the comfort of a home in the Manchester area.
The 45-year-old has been hotel-based since taking over at United but has no intention of imitating Mourinho's infamous residency at The Lowry.
"I'm still in the hotel but I've found a place so it won't be too long," he added.
"I've been driving around a bit to find my bearings again. I've got mates and friends here so I've been to see a few if them. It's not like I'm stuck in the hotel on my own."
iceyez
0
no real Madrid bro with aitor karanka as his assistant
U never know
BrightonGobvu
0
Mou will be managing Inter soon
no real Madrid bro with aitor karanka as his assistant
BrightonGobvu
0
go to cattle
dude you wish...that guy will land a top class job...he is football and he realised that United was killing his carrier and he orchestrated his way out of the club
Nababcmotz
0
Mourinho value drops, everyone knows he is outdated. A guy living in past glories. Best is to retire with all the money he have now.
davyquan
1
go to cattle
Bruce2018
0
it's only the people who started watching football this SSN or at least two to three ssns back that think mo is bad. the guy is a proven winner and a legend in the game of football.
voakst
1
Mou is The special one no matter WHAT
mubblmpyz
0
Mourinho must makes headlines for papers to sell
iceyez
1
Mou will be managing Inter soon
Vezonic22
3
I wonder if Mourinho needs this sympathetic feeling from anyone associated with MUFC 😂😂. Anyway, thanks for caring Solskjaer; your heart is clear & no guilty conscience.
DonCleverJame
1
Jose is simply a business oriented man under the disguise of coaching....
what again did you expect from club that has jesus only the name oh my God
Mboy_Swag04
7
Love him or hate him. He’s still a big time manager that will land a top job.... and that’s the truth
emmaboat00
0
which team
Neeelnstuz
2
Jose must leave coaching football and venture into politics that's were he belongs
Peaclnz
1
Mourinho sacked was know problem
12UnitedGuyReborn
1
Jose is simply a business oriented man under the disguise of coaching....
how do you mean ???
12UnitedGuyReborn
2
And i back Mourinho never to return to football ever again, Mourinho, pls 4 the love of the game stay unemployed or u take a pundit job! Leave Management 4 those who love the game!
Why should he ??
12UnitedGuyReborn
5
Mourinho is a legend of football, like it or not he has proven it times over and no one can take that away from him just as simple as that and one day OGS will be a legend too and I hope it will be with the club we both love #GGMU
Fiabdenptu
1
Jose is simply a business oriented man under the disguise of coaching....
Chima92
2
And i back Mourinho never to return to football ever again, Mourinho, pls 4 the love of the game stay unemployed or u take a pundit job! Leave Management 4 those who love the game!
Konabdkl
4
You will transform MU
wiybdlnor
4
Love u Ole