SOLSKJAER Bringing THE FERGIE WAY TO UNITED

Whether by luck or judgement, Alex Ferguson’s man-management style paved the way for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to stun Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League Final.

“He spoke to Teddy Sheringham at length during half-time, and that pissed me off,” Solskjaer told FFT three years ago. “I thought, ‘I have scored 17 goals for you this season, mostly as a sub – aren’t you going to speak to me?’ Then he put Teddy on. That’s the way to trigger me; to make me feel, ‘I’m going to prove you wrong’.”

Frustrated that Sheringham had been sent on as a substitute ahead of him, Solskjaer was later summoned with nine minutes to go, for his first appearance of the knockout rounds that season. The rest is history.

The former striker will forever be associated with the Champions League at Manchester United. Now he manages them in the competition for the first time, hoping to inspire his players just as Fergie did in numerous European campaigns.

Under Jose Mourinho, United limped to a feeble exit in the last 16 a year ago, playing for a draw at Sevilla before being similarly cagey at Old Trafford, resulting in an embarrassing 2-1 loss. Paul Pogba started both matches on the bench.

Going by his domestic start, the Norwegian – who doesn’t hide his admiration for and inspiration by Ferguson – is likely to let his team play on the front foot, taking the game to the opposition.

That will bring no little risk against PSG, though, who have more talented individuals than United right now. Ferguson realised during his early days in the Champions League that playing too openly against better opposition could end in tears. A 4-0 battering at Barcelona in 1994, when Romario and Hristo Stoichkov ripped the Red Devils apart, was a lesson he undoubtedly learned from.

Striking a balance will be key, but Solskjaer will at least give United the opportunity to score goals. Expect them to approach the last 16 differently to the way they did last year.