Like many young soccer fans, I grew up supporting Manchester United. The club was enjoying the fruits of their success during the glory days of the mid-1990s when an unknown and baby-faced striker from Molde arrived. Given that United had courted Blackburn’s prolific striker, Alan Shearer, it was a surprise when they opted for the Norwegian when Shearer moved to boyhood heroes, Newcastle United.
United fans were far from impressed, given that The Red Devils were tipped to move for a star striker at least on par with Shearer. Nevertheless, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would go on to be one of the best bits of business that any team in the history of the sport had ever engaged in. Much credit to Alex Ferguson and the coaching staff for putting their trust in a player that had, until 1996, only played in Norway.
I remember watching Solskjaer’s debut at my grandmother’s house on August 25, 1996. I clearly recall the striker, who looked closer to my age (I was 11), taking to the field and rescuing a draw for the champions. Even though his surname looked impossible to spell, it was even more difficult not to be drawn to the Norwegian forward. As time went on, all United fans grew to love Solskjaer. 18 goals in his first season saw the “Baby-faced Assassin” register as the club’s top scorer of the season.
In 2019, Solskjaer is back at United for another reason. Having ousted the terminally miserable and apathetic Jose Mourinho, the Norwegian fan-favorite has presided over a dramatic upturn in fortunes for the Manchester-based outfit. The club has put together a run of six wins in six games, and are displaying the type of attractive, attacking football the club was once known for.
Solskjaer is now widely tipped to become the permanent manager of United. That’s not exactly a good thing for everyone, however.
As a player, Solskjaer was renowned as the most prolific “super sub” in English football history. He could literally change the course of a game within ten minutes and was an integral part of the United team that famously clinched the treble of the 1998/1999 season with his winner with what was practically the last kick of the game. His legend burns bright in United fans’ heads as a result and quite rightly.
Solskjaer was more than just a substitute. In fact, he was more than just a goal poacher, as he played in a few different positions in attack for United. As such, his managerial philosophy is very much built upon his understanding of offense rather than defense. Conversely, his abrasive predecessor, Mourinho, was far more defense and possession minded, and it showed.
United have, in fact, put their faith in defense-minded coaches going all the way back to David Moyes. Where Solskjaer differs is that he has put a lot more emphasis on the final third, insisting his team pushes up, puts pressure on the opposition and – much to the appreciation of the United faithful – has reaped the benefits that usually only come with a team being brave enough to take the game to their opponents.
Despite the heavy attention paid to United’s attack, a team certainly needs a midfield and defense in order to compete. United have been consistently saved over the past few seasons by their incredible goalkeeper, David De Gea, and frequently let down by poor defense, this season, especially. Solskjaer has not just lifted the attack but has also rejuvenated the midfield and defense, with Paul Pogba and Luke Shaw two clear examples of his influence.
To anyone paying any attention to recent developments at Old Trafford, United’s attackers have certainly looked conspicuously different under Solskjaer. I mean, Mourinho was clearly a polarizing figure, but to see so much talent suffering under his guidance was painful. One of United and England’s brightest stars, Marcus Rashford, is the perfect example of the new order for The Reds.
Rashford was simply not trusted by the Portuguese, while Solskjaer has coaxed him back into the player he once was. He is an excellent striker of the ball and offers a lot from the dead ball, but he looks reborn as a natural striker under the caretaker boss. This proves to most observers that there was a huge problem with Mourinho – not his players – and this can potentially put off a lot of clubs interested in hiring him as manager.
You can also argue that Romelu Lukaku is looking a lot happier. Anthony Martial is also demonstrating a positive body language and an eagerness to join in the revolution. As Solskjaer will only know too well, competition for places in attack is something that can really drive a team forward so you can expect him to be doing all he can to ensure that no one in the United frontline is resting on their laurels.
Paul Pogba, the former United youth player that moved to Juventus for free, cost almost $115 million to get back. That kind of mistake is one that is seldom treated with a blase attitude. Yet, despite the fee aid by Mourinho to lure the French World Cup winner back to Manchester, his displays under the Portuguese were abysmal at times. Of course, Pogba was likely just not interested in pleasing the former Chelsea boss.
Under Solskjaer, the Frenchman has looked incredible. He has contributed four goals and three assists and looks eager to demonstrate just why the United board were so keen on bringing him back to England. Everything from his passing to his assurance with the ball looks top notch, and his timing of runs and positioning look to be a product of the freedom and encouragement provided by his new boss.
Pogba is a truly special player that had been severely hampered by Mourinho’s restrictive tactics. The midfielder can operate box to box, and when given the license to do what he does best, he can flourish. Unfortunately, Mourinho was not the right man to get the best performances out of the influential player, and part of United’s refusal to play for him was allegedly down to Pogba’s instruction.
As it stands, the Norwegian has managed to show what the right man-motivation and guidance can do. Pogba is no longer a problem – at least, not for now – and United fans are witnessing the best of the $100 million man. It was thought that Pogba could be on his way out of the club following his antics during the Mourinho era, but with displays such as these, he is likely to be the fulcrum of the team going forward, especially if Solskjaer stays.
Of course, with any new period invariably comes change. The new boss has inherited a band of players from Mourinho – and if he is given the job on a full-time basis – will look to create a squad to his own liking. There are players at the club that will undoubtedly make way for players Solskjaer believes will help him achieve his vision.
There are a few players that are likely to be shipped out of the club by the end of this month or the conclusion of the season. The most likely departures are as follows:
Having played less than 150 minutes this season, Rojo is almost certain to leave the club at some point this season. The versatile Argentine has suffered from injuries in recent times and will be unlikely to convince the club to stay. Consistency has also been a problem for Rojo, which has frustrated fans of the club during his time in Manchester.
Where Rojo could move to is not yet known, but he is likely to find a club willing to gamble on him. He has been at Old Trafford since 2014, yet has failed to convince in his time in United much-maligned defensive setup. Solskjaer will undoubtedly look to bolster the back four, and Rojo will move on to make way. With his injury problems, this might not be until the summer.
A divisive figure in Manchester, Belgium’s afro-haired cult favorite seemingly has his days numbered in a United shirt. With attraction coming from Serie A, the physical midfielder should also find it fairly easy to move on. Solskjaer’s style of play is not one that is likely to be built around the former Everton star, and fans – whether they love or hate him – will have to get used to life without Fellaini.
Having made just two appearances from the substitutes bench, it seems pretty clear that Fellaini is in the shop window. Whether he moves on in January or in the summer will be a matter decided by any suitors interested in acquiring his services.
Former Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez is reportedly on just under $515,000 per week. If he is to move on, he will undoubtedly want to keep his wages around this level. Considering his form for United has been abysmal, there surely won’t be too many clubs lining up to empty their pockets. While Chinese clubs could come out of the woodwork with a ridiculous offer, it is still against the odds for Sanchez.
With players like David De Gea approaching the end of their contracts, the wages that Sanchez currently earns will surely be brought up in negotiations. As such, you could very well see Solskjaer trying his best to work his magic with Sanchez once he returns from injury rather than shipping him off. Well, that is, if any club is crazy enough to want him.
The club captain looks almost certain to be bidding his farewell to the club following 10 years in the red shirt. Signed from Wigan in 2009, the Ecuadorian has been a staple of the team under five different managers. However, with Inter Milan reportedly keen on his services, fans are ready to say their own goodbyes to a loyal and trusted servant of the club.
Although Valencia also suffered due to conflict with Mourinho, Solskjaer has brought him into first-team proceedings. With his contract set to expire, and United reportedly failing to offer a new deal, the 33-year-old is highly likely to leave in the summer.
Sure enough, there is a revival on the cards for Manchester United. The doom and gloom inflicted on the club by Mr. Mourinho have been lifted, and the team looks almost unrecognizable from the one that labored around the park before his sacking. While the narrative among rival supporters has been one based on a premature sense of triumph, there is no doubt that United’s rivals are feeling the pressure.
OK, they are in 6th place. They are hardly going to win the league, but they are building something truly special. With an enforcer at the back, another attacking-creative type, and if they can hang on to David De Gea and recruit a world class right back, Manchester United are going to challenge for the league next year. The confidence and belief are there, and if Solskjaer can carry the momentum through to the end of the season, the United board will invest.
More than anything, United are back playing the brand of football that fans are demanding. Less of the turgid, painful possession game, and more of the exciting, pulsating attacking charges are present. The soul is returning to the club and it has taken one of the most beloved stars of the glory years to bring it back. Identity is crucial in soccer – and in an age dominated by mercenaries and a bloated commercial input – United are showing signs of recapturing theirs.
After all, this is a club that fell apart when their leader, Alex Ferguson, departed. From David Moyes to Louis Van Gaal, things were bland. When Mourinho arrived, the relationship that offered so much culminated in a painful exercise in how some things are just not meant to be. With Solskjaer, things can – and I believe they will – be so much different.
Well, it doesn’t look as though Solskjaer will be going anywhere. That is, unless the past six games have been the greatest fluke at United since Eric Cantona was signed for peanuts. The Norwegian’s effect has been felt by pretty much everyone with an interest in European soccer. The narrative is also just so… romantic. The big, bad wolf (Mourinho) leaves the once-glorious Theatre of Dreams in a state of disrepair that can only be rescued by the one United legend that had a knack of rescuing the team on the field, time and time again.
The figurative sword in the stone has been extracted, and the “Baby-faced Assassin” is the one holding it. If Solskjaer is King Arthur, then Alex Ferguson is Merlin, and Merlin is watching down from the stands with a huge grin on his face. Zenedine Zidane, Mauricio Pochetinno, Rafael Benitez and all of the other suitors are simply wasting their collective time chasing this job, and most of them will be more than aware of that.
The job will surely be offered to Solskjaer on a permanent basis. That is as close to a certainty as we will get this season. What remains to be seen is just how far the Norwegian – who was a failure at Welsh club, Cardiff City, can take his spellbinding start to his career as Manchester United coach. That is obviously anyone’s guess.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
