Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he is “honoured and privileged” to have led Manchester United and hopes he has left the Premier League club in a “better state than when I came”.

Speaking after being sacked as manager, he said the fans had been “amazing”, adding: “We’ll see each other again.”

In an emotional interview with the club website, he also said he had made some “great friends”.

Solskjaer was relieved of his duties after the side lost 4-1 at Watford on Saturday.

It was United‘s fifth defeat in 12 Premier League games this season and leaves them in 7th place – 12 points behind leaders Chelsea.

Solskjaer said: “It’s not for everyone, and I’ve had the opportunity and I’m so honoured and privileged to have been trusted to take the club forward and I really hope that I leave it in a better state than when I came.

“I made great friends, I’ve reconnected with some great friends – new staff coming in, I’ve become really good friends with.”

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The former striker continued: “That’s what it’s about at a club like this with the fans, because the fans have been amazing, from day one at Cardiff till the last one.

“So: top, and we’ll see each other again.”

Former United captain Gary Neville complimented his ex-teammate, who took on the managerial role after Jose Mourinho was sacked.

Neville said that Solskjaer had restored the “soul” of the club.

“It’s been coming for the past few weeks, performance terrible and results shocking. Yesterday was wimpish at Watford,” the Sky Sports pundit added.

“You’re always hoping the players would respond, that the two-week international break would bring some freshness but it looked like they had the world on their shoulders, their performance levels over the last few weeks have dipped.

“When a manager can’t get a performance out of his players and results are getting as bad as they are, in this game you’re going to lose your job.”

Wayne Rooney, another former captain and the Red Devil’s record scorer, said he was “disappointed” watching the the Norwegian’s final game in charge.

Thank you Ole. You did us proud . The last two months were tough but before that you restored some soul into the club. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/cseYVIFgqK

The now Derby County manager said: “To see players waving their arms around and giving the ball away but blaming other people was not acceptable.

“I would be very angry if I saw that from my players. Those players are at one of, if not the biggest, club in the world and should feel privileged to be there.”

Asked about taking over the reins at his former employer, Rooney said: “I’m committed to this football club until somebody above me tells me otherwise.

“I speak to people at Manchester United on a regular basis and I’m sure, if they were going to come calling for me, that would have happened by now.”

Meanwhile, current forward Marcus Rashford shared a photo of himself with his former boss saying: “Club legend”.

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