ANDYDUNN Solskjaer’s passed his United audition... give him the lead role now
etc. But two pieces of United business last week should signal Solskjaer’s long-term role as a formality.
We are a compassionate lot, football fans.
The general reaction to Marouane Fellaini’s departure for China has been to profusely apologise to him for regularly referring to him as a symbol of United’s post-ferguson decline.
Let’s not forget how effective Fellaini was, let’s not forget the crucial goals he scored and assists he made, that sort of stuff. And, in the three semi-finals of competitions which United have won since Fergie (right, with Woodward), Fellaini scored in every one of them. But, rightly or wrongly, he WAS a symbol of United’s post-ferguson decline and he had signed a new deal last summer. On Solskjaer’s watch, he has gone. And on Solskjaer’s watch, Anthony Martial has committed his future to United, signing a contract that will keep him at Old Trafford Alongside the picture of Harry Maguire talking to his partner that went viral in the World Cup summer, Walker’s tweet was genuinely amusing. That he felt compelled to delete it is a sad indictment on the often joyless world of social media. until 2024. It goes without saying Martial would almost certainly have not agreed such a deal had Jose Mourinho been in charge. “I would like to thank Ole and his coaching staff for their belief in me and for helping me to take my game to the next level,” Martial said, almost addressing Woodward and the board. And Solskjaer responded by effectively saying he believes he can take Martial’s game to a level above that next level. Of course, this is some sort of honeymoon period and it is easy to be loved-up when there is only one tiny blemish on a nine-game run. But, presuming United don’t get thumped five-nothing or the like at Leicester this afternoon, Woodward should have a rethink and give Solskjaer the job now. Give him the job so he can start properly looking at the bigger picture. Is it really fair for an audition to last five months? Would it really be fair to judge him on two games against a formidable Paris St-germain? Solskjaer knew the score when he signed. It was until the end of the season and take it from there. Or it was until the end of the season and then see what Mauricio Pochettino wanted to do. But it is now blindingly obvious he is a great fit, the players respond and will continue to respond to him. Ask Anthony Martial. And, while he might not be as influential as some people think, Sir Alex would approve.
IF there is a generally unwritten reason to like Pep Guardiola, it is that he rarely seems to moan. When Manchester City travel to either Middlesbrough or Newport on February 16 for an FA Cup tie, it will be their eighth fixture in 28 days. In that same period, Liverpool will have played three times. There are some managers who would make a big deal out of that. It is to his credit that Pep (left) does not.