Manchester United decided to relieve Jose Mourinho from his duty at Old Trafford this week and appoint club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as caretaker manager until the end of the season.
The Norwegian icon returns to Old Trafford with a winner’s legacy and is expected to turn things around after what’s been a dismal spell under the Portuguese tactician.
Manchester United sit sixth in the Premier League table with massive 19 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is required to push the team up towards the top-four spot and get the best out of what threatened to become a lost season with Mourinho in charge. As a man deeply connected with Manchester United who has a full understanding of the club and its heritage, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to spur things up. He will, however, face tough challenges in his attempt to save the season for Red Devils.
Leaky Defence
Seventeen rounds into the Premier League campaign, Manchester United have conceded 29 goals. Such a record is a goal higher that the entire last season’s tally and is a clear indication of problems Red Devils have experienced at the back.
Plagued by injuries, lack of confidence and consistency, Manchester United’s backline is lacking a commanding authority in the box. Long gone are the days of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic but it’s fair to say that Manchester United’s current squad hasn’t got players nowhere near to the calibre of these two legendary defenders.
Solskjaer will need to tighten up the fence with existing players at least until January when he could be given a chance to bring in defensive reinforcements Jose Mourinho whined about for months.
Misfiring Attack
A mere look at the roster is enough to suggest Manchester United boast an attack-oriented squad. At least on paper, that is.
The likes of Anthony Martial, Alexis Sanchez, Lesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku and ultimately Paul Pogba are all forward-thinking players. Unfortunately, Jose Mourinho’s tactical approach failed to get the best out of their attacking potential and that’s another challenge Solskjaer will have to deal with.
A striker by trade, Solskjaer will be well familiar with Manchester United’s ethos and with what is constantly demanded at a club of such stature. The Norwegian tactician will attempt to push his team forward and make it at least resemble those attacking sides of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Lacklustre Style
Talking about attack and Paul Pogba – who is overall a separate issue – Solskjaer will also need to improve the style of play.
Solskjaer himself is a clear association to Sir Alex’s entertaining brand of football. In his 11 years at Old Trafford, the Norwegian has adopted the club’s die-hard mentality best epitomised in the Champions League final at Old Trafford when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer himself scored a late, late winner to help his team lift the trophy on the back of an inspiring display.
Jose Mourinho’s style of football has been described as pragmatic but, in all honesty, it was often dull, disorganised and utterly clueless. The new boss is now expected to restore an attacking mindset and bring excitement and smiles at Old Trafford.
Unmotivated Squad
Jose Mourinho’s relationship with his players – and especially with Paul Pogba – defined his time as Manchester United manager.
The Portuguese tactician would often hit the headlines over his treatment of other players, such as Luke Shaw and Alexis Sanchez. Still, it is the French star who took all the limelight after his training ground bust up with Mourinho earlier this season.
No player is bigger than the club, however. Michael Carrick made sure that Paul Pogba understands that and the Frenchman will also be advised to take more responsibility in helping the club get back to its best under Ole Gunnar.
The Norwegian is expected to build his team around Pogba, a player he worked while he was academy manager at Old Trafford. He will attempt to get Pogba up to the level he displayed with France in Russia this summer.
The French international was a vital cog in the World Cup winning machine and getting the best out of Pogba could determine Solskjaer’s entire Manchester United stint.
Frustrated Supporters
Making the players happy is the first step towards making the supporters happy as well.
The Old Trafford faithful endured torrid time in watching their beloved club suffer this season. With a manager who refused to take responsibilities for his actions and lack of result, while at the same time stubbornly refusing to alter his style, the fans did not like what they witnessed throughout the campaign.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s name alone is enough to break more than one smile around Old Trafford and it’s fair to assume he will be given a full backing from the stands. Solskjaer already rolled up his sleeves as he took charge of the training on Thursday and the fans will relish an opportunity to see him in action this weekend.
Manchester United travel to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s former club Cardiff City and are given 4/7 betting odds to get three points on their new manager’s debut.
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