Erik ten Hag has ignored predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer by moving on from Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire.
McTominay was sold by Manchester United this summer to Napoli having fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford. Meanwhile, Maguire was stripped of the captaincy last summer and has also found himself out of Ten Hag's plans.
The duo had been key players during Solskjaer's time at the club, which came to an end following a miserable run of results in November 2021. But the Norwegian is now eyeing a stunning return to the job, with Ten Hag coming under increasing pressure.
United have endured a disappointing start to the season, with Maguire playing as they drew with Twente on Wednesday. In the wake of that result, a tip Solskjaer sent to his permanent successor has now emerged.
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"I knew they had it in them, and I think it's these types of people who get paid for their efforts and get paid back for what kind of people they are. They are the kind of people you want in a team," Solskjaer told Nettavisen in November 2023.
"I think he has dealt with it in a fantastic way. It has not been easy. I have kept in touch with him and I have nothing but praise for the guy. He has been in it. It's not easy to leave Manchester United because you know there's a downturn almost everywhere you go.
"I am very happy that Harry in particular shows what kind of player he is, but not least what kind of type and person he is. That's why I made him captain. We in Norway call it 'hell wood', and he is."
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Solskjaer spent three years in charge at United after originally replacing Jose Mourinho on an interim basis, guiding them to a second-place finish in the 2020/2021 campaign. But having failed to win any silverware, he endured a dreadful start to the 2021/2022 season.
After a run of six defeats in 11 games in late-2021, including a 5-0 home defeat against Liverpool, the Norwegian was sacked. But with United once again struggling, he has made it clear he would welcome a call to replace Ten Hag.
"If the family [United] asks, I would say yes every day of the week," Solskjaer said in a Q&A at the Oslo Business Forum. "It feels wrong to talk about jobs that other people have now, but I would say yes, of course."
After drawing with Twente, United now host Spurs on Sunday before their second Europa League clash against Porto. They then travel to top-four chasing Aston Villa before the season's second international break.
Ten Hag meanwhile has demanded United's supporters remain patient despite the tough start. They have now won just two of their opening seven games and sit 11th in the Premier League table.
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