Imagine this hypothetical scene in the boardroom at the swamp, after Ferguson retired and the board are selecting a new manager from the applications they've received. Imagine also, Solskjaer never played for them.
"Right, let's go through these applications & shortlist the likely candidates. I've weeded out the ones from 14 year olds who've taken us from NW Counties League to winning the Quadruple on Championship Manager.
First one, Jose Mourinho. Impressive manager. He definitely goes on the shortlist. Next, David Moyes. Done a decent job at Everton but not sure he's really right for us. However he's Scottish like the gaffer, who's an admirer of his. Worth listening to him to see what he thinks he can do so we'll stick him on the shortlist as an outside bet. Next, Louis van Gaal. Another manager with a great pedigree so he definitely goes on the list with Moyes & Mourinho.
Next, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He's that Norwegian player isn't he? What's he done as a manager though? His CV says he won the Norwegian title with Molde & got Cardiff relegated. Stick him on the Champ Manager pile."