Jordi Cruyff insists Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the perfect manager for Manchester United

Jordi Cruyff believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the perfect candidate to become the permanent Manchester United manager, insisting he knows the club’s ‘DNA’.

United are unbeaten since Solskjaer took over following Jose Mourinho‘s sacking, with the Norwegian guiding his side to an impressive nine wins from 10 games. 

Cruyff, the son of football legend Johan and current manager of Chinese Super League side Chongqing Dangdai Lifan, believes his former team-mate is the ideal fit to take the job full-time.

Jordi Cruyff believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should become permanent Manchester United boss

Cruyff (C) spent four years at United between 1996 and 2000 and played alongside Solskjaer

He also took a swipe at Mourinho, claiming Solksjaer has not slammed the United players in public unlike the Portuguese did in his final few months. 

‘Normally, players who have been at the club understand the DNA. [Pep] Guardiola was at Barcelona B, came to the first team, knew what was necessary and the results are obvious,’ Cruyff said in an interview with The Times.

‘In Ole’s case, he has let the players take responsibility. He’s peaceful. He’s not making conflicts in the media, saying something to see if he can motivate the player in a provocative way. 

‘United’s DNA is winning, attacking, playing the same home and away, no waiting for the opponent. It’s about fitting with a club’s DNA.

‘There are a lot of great coaches who go to one place and are fantastic, and go to another place just as big and it doesn’t work out. It’s the fit. Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid — perfect fit.’

Interim United manager Solskjaer has made an impressive start to life at Old Trafford

Cruyff spent four years at United between 1996 and 2000, chalking up 55 appearances for the Red Devils and sharing the pitch with the current caretaker manager.

‘As a person, Ole was always very calm, a family man. We knew each other well. As a player, Ole wasn’t super-fast, tall or a shielder. He just worked hard but he had an amazing instinct and ability to score goals,’ Cruyff added.

‘He had a ‘loose’ ankle, when somebody without looking knows where the goal is and can always find the corner. The only one I saw like that was [Jean-Pierre] Papin. Boom. The ball was in the net.

‘The most important thing was Ole never put his ego before the interests of the club. It doesn’t surprise me he’s become a coach. He’s a stable guy, a club man, and those kind of characters normally end up being coaches.’