Solskjaer faces test against man Ferguson 'wanted to replace him'

Manchester United are led by a man who listened and learnt from Sir Alex Ferguson in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Norwegian understands the club and honours its traditions - and that has certainly granted him plenty of leeway with the Old Trafford hierarchy and the fans.

Solskjaer has presided over a poor run of results and will hope his United side can get back to winning ways against Atalanta in the Champions League.

If Ferguson had his way however, it may well have been the man in the away dugout leading the home side.

Gian Piero Gasperini has spent all of his managerial career in his native Italy but at 63 has no major honours to show.

Sir Alex Ferguson saw Gian Piero Gasperini as a potential No 2 and future successor ( Image:

CameraSport via Getty Images)

Despite that, he was named Serie A's Coach of the Year in 2019 and 2020 following his work with an unfancied Atalanta side, who have no history of mixing it with the big boys.

La Dea have never won the top flight but Gasperini has delivered three successive third-place finishes and twice led them to the knockout stages of the Champions League, losing to finalists PSG in 2020.

Even before his work in Bergamo the Italian was impressing - and Ferguson was certainly an admirer.

Fergie's pick

The Scot has seen several of his previous assistants go on to achieve big things. Carlos Queiroz took over at Real Madrid and Steve McLaren led England, albeit for a short period.

But back in 2009, Ferguson wanted Gasperini to be his No. 2 at Old Trafford with a view to him succeeding him when he retired, according to Tuttosport.

The Italian was then in charge of Genoa, whom he led to the Europa League against the odds.

Gasperini's unique style of football caught Ferguson's eye with the Serie A side becoming renowned for a hard-working ethos yet fluent patterns of play.

United scouts were sent to the port city, situated in the northwest of Italy, to watch Genoa.

Eventually, however, Ferguson picked David Moyes as his successor, but that appointment didn't last a season and he became the first manager sacked following the club legend's retirement.

United have subsequently settled on Solskjaer, with the current Red Devils boss leading the club for longer than anyone post-Ferguson

The Atalanta boss has worked wonders with the Italian side ( Image:

Jan Kruger)

Gasperini's admission

The 63-year-old has made it clear he sees his long-term future in Bergamo despite more established clubs watching on admirably.

Gasperini has even name checked the former United manager, citing him as a the man he wants to emulate.

"I can see myself staying here for a long time, like Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport magazine Sportweek.

"I have settled perfectly into this city and feel very much at home. I'll add that if you are not able to get a football project working here, then you won't get it to work anywhere.

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"On the one hand, I would like to try another experience at the top level, but on the other, I'd set a lot more limitations to what I am prepared to do than in the past.

"I am in a truly privileged situation, so tearing me away from here will not be easy…"

Gasperini took over at Atalanta in 2016 and has overseen an impressive rise despite clubs continuing to poach their top players.

United themselves added Amad last summer, although the young forward has seen his development hampered by injury problems.