Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has proven he was always destined to be a coach after lifting the lid on his video game preferences.

The Norwegian was made the permanent manager of Manchester United on Thursday after an impressive spell as caretaker boss since replacing Jose Mourinho in December.

And it seems Solskjaer's penchant for coaching comes from his choice in video games after admitting he has a preference for Football Manager.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted he has always been an avid fan of the Football Manager games

Football Manager 2019 is the latest version of the franchise and was released in November

The game is a management simulation where you can preside over domestic or international teams and oversee the day-to-day duties of an elite coach. The 46-year-old admitted on Thursday that the strategy element was what lured him in.

Solskjaer: 'I've always been the type of guy who plays Football Manager rather than FIFA.

'I prefer strategy rather than playing the actual game.'

Solskjaer, speaking to Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet in 2013, revealed how he started playing the game when he was at United as a player.

'It's a fantastic game, I have learned a lot about football. I have learned a lot about players, especially young talent. It resembles real life, when it comes to who will be good players. They have done incredible research.

'I remember thinking the same then, that I do as a manager, you want to give young guns the chance, see them develop.

'You could push a few buttons and get extra millions to buy a player. I never enjoyed that. I would rather win in spite of, than because of.

'Many of my players play FIFA and Football Manager. I think it helps them to understand football better.'

The game is a management simulation where you can lead domestic or international teams

It allows the millions of avid players to oversee the day-to-day duties of an elite coach

Solskjaer revealed in 2013 how he started playing the game when he was at United as a player

A crucial part of success on Football Manager is having a clear recruitment strategy and, on Thursday, Solskjaer promised not to waste United's millions in the transfer market this summer.

He is planning for the future at Old Trafford and knows he will have a substantial budget to buy new players. It's understood that right-back and central midfield are the two areas where United are most keen to strengthen, although they could also sign a winger if the right deal is available.

United have already been linked with £100million deals for the likes of Borussia Dortmund wide man Jadon Sancho, Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez and Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

But Solskjaer insists he will not spend money for the sake of it after completing his return to Old Trafford from Molde where his transfer fund was significantly smaller.

He said: 'United is a club that has money, and that has to be spent in a reasonable way. People who know me, know that I will use that in a good way.

'We have a plan with the club. They have scouted players for longer than I have been here, and we have players that we need to keep. We will not spend money just to spend money.'