Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has come under criticism since being appointed permanently in March 2019. Despite this, the Manchester United boss is quietly succeeding at Old Trafford. His side sit just three points behind fourth spot, with Chelsea’s form being inconsistent at best. A lot of positives have come out of this season, even if the general mood around the club has been sour.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Guiding Manchester United to Top Four
Solskjaer’s Impressive Transfers
Solsjaker’s appointment saw United change their transfer strategy. United are no longer looking towards big money and big-name signings, rather, younger, hungry players. This is no surprise. Solsjkaer wants oversee a major rebuild of Manchester United’s squad.
The acquisitions made since the summer speak volumes of the work Solskjaer is doing. Dan James joined from Swansea City for £15million. Recruited as a squad player, James has stepped up when required and has impressed in moments. His raw pace causes defenders issues, and though his end product needs developing, the Welshman has impressed in his debut season. Three goals and six assists is a healthy return for someone who has only 24 Premier League appearances, and at 21, will only improve.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been a revelation since joining from Crystal Palace in the summer. Coming with a reputation for his tackling ability, the 21-year-old hasn’t disappointed. His 3.8 tackles and two interceptions per 90 are more than anyone else at United. For what he lacks in positioning, his recovery speed more than makes up for. Though his attacking ability is questionable, he is improving in this department. His assist for Anthony Martial at Stamford Bridge was pinpoint and shows that Solskjaer’s coaching is working wonders.
Harry Maguire was the big money signing last summer. Joining for £80million from Leicester, it was vital that he hit the ground running. The Man of the Match display against Chelsea on his debut assured this. Since then, Maguire has been a solid asset, leading the backline well and being commanding in the air. It will be debated whether the price was worth it, but Solskjaer certainly brought in the right man.
Bruno Fernandes has only played three games but looks like a phenomenal acquisition. He impressed against Wolves, albeit from a deeper position. But it was at Stamford Bridge and against Watford where he showed promise. Bruno has filled the void of being the creative spark between midfield and attack. With two assists already, it means that all of Solskjaer’s signings have been successful, a real sign of promise for the future.
Solskjaer – A Big Game Manager
If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has inherited one coaching technique from Sir Alex Ferguson, it is the big game mentality. His record has been impressive when facing the top sides. Not only has he beaten Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City twice this season, but he is also the only manager to take a point from Liverpool. That is indisputable.
The mentality required for a big match comes from the coach. The minute tactical detail. The final team talk. The substitutions. All these decisions mean more in the bigger games than the smaller games. Ole’s record speaks for itself.
United blew Frank Lampard’s Chelsea away in the season opener. Since then, he has beaten Chelsea twice more. A draw against the relentless Liverpool and victory over his predecessor Jose Mourinho and his Tottenham side shows that Solskjaer knows how to get the best out of his side on the big occasion. Who could ever forget that night in Paris? The biggest test. Solskjaer’s tactics saw United prevail yet again.
Even though United have struggled against smaller clubs, not all the blame lies at Solskaer’s door for this. When facing low-block defences, it usually comes down to individual brilliance and relentless pressure to break them down. Whilst Solskjaer has overseen some poor games this season, think Burnley, Newcastle and Bournemouth, it can be argued that there was no creativity in the side.
The signing of Bruno Fernandes has rectified this issue, as shown in the Watford fixture. He created Martial’s wonder goal, playing the ball forward when before he joined, it was rare to see a United player play a forward pass. Solskjaer must be plauded for getting a creative player through the door.
A Work in Progress
It must be said that Ole’s reign is nowhere near perfect. Far from it in fact. There has been some questionable decisions and disappointing results along the way. Having said that, there are plenty of positive signs.
Since the Ferguson era, United have only finished in the top four twice. To suddenly demand that the top four is the minimum expectation with an arguably weaker squad is unfair. Despite these mitigating circumstances, United are only three points behind Chelsea and look like they improving. Still in the FA Cup, still in the Europa League, reaching the semi-final of the League Cup. All achievements so far this season. It remains to be seen whether Champions League football will return to Old Trafford next season, but if it does, then United’s boss deserves a lot of credit.
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