When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed on 19 December 2018, Manchester United had gone through 3 managers of different styles and identities. The Chosen One that is David Moyes, the Innovative One that is Louis Van Gaal and the Special One that is Jose Mourinho. All of them were given the unenviable task of replacing a legend of the game, let alone of the club. Such was the inevitable position of the 3 managers that they all were let go and deemed not as successful as one had hope. Moyes lasted only 10 months in an ill-fated spell as man who clearly felt overwhelmed by the monstrous legacy left behind. Louis Van Gaal faired a little better, lasting 2 years and winning 1 trophy before he was unceremoniously booted out of Old Trafford, cruelly on the same day he won his trophy. The Special One came with the expectation that this was his Everest, the one job he had eyed and waited for his entire career. He came with the fun and divisive package that he has had throughout his career. But in so, he won 3 trophies (yes, one was the community shield~) in his 2.5 years at Manchester United. He also has had to temper his expectations working with a limited squad but not having the funds to challenge United’s neighbours who in the 2017/18 bought 4 defenders and a keeper. It was the same season where Jose said finishing 2nd was amongst his top achievements.
Not long after his 3rd season in charge, where he whined his way during the pre-season, he was let go. Deemed having been too toxic and seen his attempts to sell both Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial blocked by the board, Jose Mourniho’s time was brought to an abrupt but expected end. In came the caretaker that many thought would not make it in the big leagues. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came in and said all the things his former mentor would say. “We’ll play the United way” and “We need to reboot the culture” were quotes he fed the press and the fans. And it was solidified with an amazing run of 14 wins in his first 19 games in charge that included the comeback win that secured his time to be the permanent manger of Manchester United – a 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in a Round of 16 Champions league tie.
In his two seasons he finished the season with 66 points, the latter a scramble to secure top 4 spots. It didn’t matter as by the end of the 2019-20 season that was interrupted by the global pandemic, Ole guided Manchester United to a top 3 finish and reached 3 semi-finals. Fans clamor at how a hero player has turned into a hero manager. Doubts remain only from the fiercest of critics, but majority have backed Ole to return United to the top just like his former gaffer had done. But life would not be as rosy for the Old Trafford favourite as the 2020/21 season started in a decline on form as a big 1-6 loss to Tottenham Hotspurs and demotion to the Europa League were seen as failures. But since then, as they did the first time when Ole’s credentials were called into question – he has guided them to an 18 game unbeaten away record that included coming back to win the game in 9 out of 10 games that were behind. United have also reached a cup final in his steed.
Many would point to the progress that Ole has made – 4 semi-finals and a top 4 finish in a season where he was heavily expected to be fired is one where fans point to definite progress. His belief in youth and his man management of players such as Shaw, Pogba, Martial and Rashford are reasons why fans have backed him. He has also lasted longer and seemingly performed better with his resources as compared to Mikel Arteta, Frank Lampard or even the much touted Jurgen Klopp in the current 2020/21 season. It has to be noted that of the 3 mentioned, both Arteta and Lampard are complete greenhorns in the managing game and that Ole himself has at least a decade of managerial experience in his belt. Nonetheless, it is these achievements that has earned him credit where other flaws might highlight his shortcomings. In settling for a 4-2-3-1 formation, he has managed to solve a problem that the last 3 managers could not and that is to get the best out of Pogba in an attacking role. But one should also take it with a pinch of salt, as the biggest driving force in the current United side is not the enigmatic Frenchman, but the leadership and flair of the Portuguese wonder that is Bruno Fernandes. In recent months, Manchester United has developed more control in their games thanks in part to a settled back four that allows Pogba and Bruno to create havoc as they are ably protected by Fred and Mctominay.
Could it be that Ole is limited by his depth in squad? Looking at the backups that United have – Donny Van de beek, Mata. Matic, Amad Diallo, Daniel James, Martial and Cavani – they are not much when compared to City’s depth. At the same time, can the sum of lesser parts be just as effective? United have shown that they are missing a key no 9, a solid centre back, a right back, a right winger and a younger defensive midfielder. With the current influx that is United’s fortunes, where and who can they get who can immediately bring a change like Bruno Fernandes has. Of the 7 named, only Cavani and Martial has been a regular figure with the rest used sparingly.
One also must note that this is also down to Ole trimming his squad, seeing 12 players leave – Fellaini, Valencia, Herrera, James Wilson, Ashley Young, Darmien, Lukaku, Sanchez, Smalling, Rojo, Fosu-Mensah, and Brothwick-jackson. Only Lukaku and Herrera can be considered as possible mistakes with the former a leading goalscorer who fired Inter to their first Scudetto since 2010. Ole has always called on patience as he embeds new members into the squad, with Bruno the exception to the rule. He has also focused on bringing youth through rather than buying ready-made players. The inclusion of Shola Shoretire, Anthony Elanga, Tahith Chong, James Garner, Brendon Williams, Ethan Laird and Dylan Levitt to name a few have shown that he believes in them as Sir Alex once did and it is the hall mark of Manchester United.
But how long will this goodwill last? United have made steady steps in improving their fortunes and have in recent times played in a manner that is akin to the famed “Manchester United way” but the gravitas of United and importantly to its sponsors is that Manchester United were synonymous with winning and unless that is regularly brought, all the work Ole has done, might be undone by the next manger.
For now, he has proved his critics wrong and a Europa League victory on 26 May 2021, might even solidify and prove that he is the right man to lead Manchester United. It is also hard to envision any other manager in the current game who is able to lead Manchester United. Ole has stabled the ship and brought back the feel-good factor, but the expectations of United to be challengers for the title might come to fold in the seasons to come and it will be interesting to see how he handles it.
Written by: Baz
