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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's transition from Cardiff City failure to permanent Manchester United manager is complete.

The announcement from Old Trafford didn't come as a surprise, not even to the Norwegian's Bluebird detractors, thanks to his sensational record since taking over from Jose Mourinho.

But there remain doubts (and not just in south Wales) that Solskjaer isn't the man to take the lead on United's transfers this summer. There have long been calls for the Red Devils to appoint a director of football, someone to bridge the gap between Solskjaer and executive vice chairman Ed Woodward.

Not just that, but Solskjaer's record with transfers during his time at Cardiff doesn't bode well. His stint with the Bluebirds is something 'Ole' insists he's learned from and having been headhunted by United to repair the mess Mourinho left, he's justified that bold decision with excellent results — hence the deserved permanent appointment as boss on a three-year contract.

"After what happened in Cardiff, I did not think that this would happen," he said earlier this month.

"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."

'What happened in Cardiff' are the significant words there — and they're worth exploring in detail in terms of how transfers may affect the job ahead with United if Solskjaer isn't given a director of football to work beside...

The Cardiff Premier League transfers

January 2014 was a busy window for Cardiff with Solskjaer having only just joined and looking to bring in players capable of keeping them in the Premier League.

These are the men who came in (don't expect any of them to sign for Man United this summer)...

Magnus Wolff Eikrem

Norwegian midfielder Eikrem followed Solksjaer in making the move from Molde to the Welsh capital just six days after the Manchester United legend was named Cardiff boss. He was at United as an academy player.

Eikrem made just one league start for the Bluebirds and following relegation from the top flight. His contract was terminated by the club in December 2014.

VERDICT = UNDOUBTED MISS

Mats Moller Daehli

The majority of the above applies to Daehli, who also made the move to Cardiff from Molde.

The Norway international had a little more success during his time in Wales than his former Molde team mate though, scoring a dramatic injury time equaliser against West Brom in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

He ended the campaign having made 15 appearances for the club and went on to feature nine times the following season before signing for Freiburg.

VERDICT: OFFERED PROMISE

Wilfried Zaha

The talented forward joined Cardiff on loan from Solskjaer's beloved United but failed to score a single goal in his 13 appearances for the Bluebirds, although he did deliver some promising performances.

His career has certainly been on an upward trajectory ever since. Zaha has been a huge success at Crystal Palace since his return to Selhurst Park in 2015.

VERDICT: THE RIGHT MAN, BUT DIDN'T CLICK

Juan Cala

Former Spain Under-19 international Cala joined the Bluebirds in February 2014 after more than a decade at Sevilla.

Despite making only seven appearances in his debut season, the central defender became something of a favourite under Solskjaer, scoring big goals against Everton and Southampton — although a red card in a 4-0 drubbing by Sunderland curtailed his impact.

The Spaniard was then left in the wilderness after Solskjaer's sacking in September 2014 and went as far as writing about his frustrations on his official Twitter account before being released in December 2014.

VERDICT: MIXED BAG

Kenwyne Jones

The Bluebirds secured the services of Jones in a January swap deal with Stoke's Peter Odemwingie.

And he made an instant impact by scoring the winner against Norwich on debut, although that proved to be his only Premier League goal with Cardiff.

Jones fared better in the Championship after relegation, but ultimately struggled with fitness and form before departing on loan to Al Jazira.

VERDICT: SHOULD HAVE DONE BETTER

Fabio

After a loan spell with Queens Park Rangers, full-back Fabio was allowed to leave United on a permanent basis in January 2014, linking up with Solskjaer at Cardiff City Stadium.

He proved to be a real hit with the Cardiff faithful an was an integral cog under both Solskjaer and his successor Russell Slade before leaving for Middlesbrough in summer 2016.

The Brazilian is now with Ligue 1 outfit Nantes where he was teammates with Emiliano Sala.

VERDICT: HIT

Jo Inge Berget

Inge Berget was the third Norwegian with Molde connections brought in by Solskjaer following his appointment as Malky Mackay's successor.

But this was arguably the worst signing of the lot. The striker made just two appearances for the Bluebirds before joining for Malmo in 2015.

VERDICT: MISS

The summer signings Solskjaer oversaw

The new Man United boss was retained by the Bluebirds despite relegation, signing another 10 players in the summer of 2014.

He wouldn't last much longer — receiving his marching orders in September as Cardiff started the season slowly — but some of his summer signings are still with the club...

Guido Burgstaller

An Austrian striker who arrived for £800,00 from Rapid Vienna but found opportunities limited.

He's since done well in the Bundesliga but his time at Cardiff was utterly forgettable.

VERDICT: MISS

Adam Le Fondre

Scored lots of goals for Reading but never settled in South Wales despite a £2.1million move and moved back to his family home in the north west with loans to Bolton and Wigan.

VERDICT: MISS, SHOULD'VE DONE MORE

Kagisho Dikgacoi

Endured a fairly miserable spell in the Cardiff midfield after being signed on a free transfer from Palace, before returning to his native South Africa. Nothing to write home about.

VERDICT: HUGE MISS

Javi Guerra

Guerra was a mysterious free signing from Spain and never started a league match in Cardiff colours. Quickly went back to Spain without so much as troubling the opposition goal.

VERDICT: ANOTHER MISS

Federico Macheda

Another to arrive from Solskjaer's beloved United — where he'd been regarded as a wonderkid — but scored just six goals for Cardiff.

You felt he had the talent to do much more.

VERDICT: MISS

Tom Adeyemi

Many will forget he even signed for Cardiff — for £800,000 from Birmingham, by the way.

A promising midfielder who featured a fair bit under Solskjaer in the Championship, but less frequently under subsequent managers and was shipped out on loan.

Sean Morrison

Has been a huge success for Cardiff especially under current boss Neil Warnock.

Few Bluebirds fans will forget Morrison's tremendous heroics at Hull last season to secure promotion back to the Premier League.

VERDICT: BIG HIT

(Image: Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency)

Anthony Pilkington

Did well initially, especially scoring goals when converted from a winger to a centre forward by Slade.

Fell out of favour once Warnock arrived and now plays for Wigan, but is fondly remembered by Cardiff supporters.

VERDICT: HIT

Bruno Manga

Similar to Morrison, he has lasted the test of time and is trusted by Warnock. Has proven well worth the £4.4million transfer fee paid to Lorient.

A classy defensive operator who looks good enough to stay in the Premier League for another few seasons.

VERDICT: BIG HIT

Danny Gabbidon

A club legend brought back and would later act as caretaker after Solskjaer's sacking.

VERDICT: HARD TO JUDGE, WAS NEARING RETIREMENT