Solskjaer lasted just nine months in the Welsh capital and could not prevent Cardiff from suffering relegation.
That said, his CV with Molde has been much more impressive – featuring three major honours – and he further impressed during his spell coaching United’s reserves.
Manchester United’s interim boss is facing arguably his toughest test since taking charge after suffering back-to-back defeats to Arsenal and Wolves.
Nevertheless, he remains the favourite for the job long-term. United’s interest in Mauricio Pochettino has cooled in light of Solskjaer’s success and another obvious alternative, Zinedine Zidane, has re-taken his post at Real Madrid.
When the ‘Baby-faced Assassin’ was initially appointed back in December following Jose Mourinho’s sacking, nobody envisaged that he would be anything more than a stop-gap.
Speaking to Norwegian outlet VG, as quoted by WalesOnline, the former Red Devils striker explained:
“It has always been in the back of my head that this is the dream job.
“Of course it is. But after what happened in Cardiff, I did not think that this would happen. But then they have obviously followed me.
“Ed has done a lot of background research and talked a little with those who know me, who know the club and who I have worked with. Then they took the chance.
“Then I had to be honest with myself. ‘Am I ready? Can I make a difference?’ As a supporter in all those years since moving from here, I’ve been thinking about Manchester United and what I wanted to do myself.
“And I felt this was something I could have done.”
Solskjaer lasted just nine months in the Welsh capital and could not prevent Cardiff from suffering relegation.
That said, his CV with Molde has been much more impressive – featuring three major honours – and he further impressed during his spell coaching United’s reserves.
I like to disprove critics,” Solskjaer added.
“I have always thought that I have to do the best I can, the best job interview I can. It’s my responsibility as manager of United that I do my best.
“It is not up to me to consider if I live up to the standard, but I feel much more at home in this building, at Old Trafford, with these players, than I have ever done.”