![](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1489820848-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed his Manchester United tenure was undermined by the club\u2019s failure to recruit five of his key transfer targets.<\/p>\n
Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis<\/p>\n
The club legend\u2019s reign ended nearly two years ago with the early promise he showed in the role giving way to a chaotic, clouded thinking that culminated in a series of embarrassing results. <\/p>\n
While the United hierarchy were able to deliver a number of high-profile players, Cristiano Ronaldo chief among them, several world class stars slipped through the net and have since gone on to join rival clubs. <\/p>\n
United finally landed a new striker this summer in the shape of promising Danish youngster Rasmus Hojlund, but had initially enquired about Brighton\u2019s Evan Ferguson, only to see their opening \u00a350million bid \u2018laughed off\u2019 by the Seagulls.<\/p>\n
Asked if the United manager\u2019s job was an impossible task given the financial restrictions in place at Old Trafford, coupled with the spending power of their rivals, Solskjaer told The Athletic: \u2018No, but it\u2019s difficult, especially for managers following one of the best managers ever. The expectations are very high but we can\u2019t live in the same era as when I played. <\/p>\n
\u2018We had Arsenal and Chelsea as rivals towards the end. Now, most teams have money or even if they don\u2019t, they don\u2019t need to sell.<\/p>\n
\u2018Back then, Wayne and Cristiano were the best young players and we signed them. Now, United can\u2019t just go and buy\u00a0Evan Ferguson. We couldn\u2019t buy the players I mentioned to the club.\u2019<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/metro-parent\/img\/fallback.png\")
<\/p>\n
Pressed for an answer on which players he had requested United try and sign, he added: \u2018Erling Haaland, before he made his Salzburg debut. Declan Rice, who wouldn\u2019t have cost what he did in the summer. <\/p>\n
\u2018We discussed Moises Caicedo, but we felt we needed players ready for there and then. <\/p>\n
\u2018Brighton are very good at letting players come from abroad and find their feet for a year and a half. At United, you don\u2019t have that luxury and that has cost the club loads of players.<\/p>\n
\u2018We wanted Jude Bellingham badly \u2013 he\u2019s a Man United player, but I respect he chose Dortmund. That was probably sensible. But it\u2019s why I respect Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Dan James and Jadon. Young players prepared to come into a team that wasn\u2019t 100 per cent there like it was when I arrived.<\/p>\n
\u2018I would have signed Kane every day of the week and my understanding was that he wanted to come. <\/p>\n
\u2018But the club didn\u2019t have the budget with the financial constraints from Covid-19, there was no bottomless pit.\u2019<\/p>\n