Judge me by my style
Solskjaer gets record-tying fifth-straight win as United coach
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (pic) has suggested he will be judged on playing style rather than trophies if he is to land the Manchester United manager’s job on a full-time basis. Keen to extend his stay at Old Trafford, the former striker feels that the key to being seen as a success, is to return to the attractive and attacking football that the club played for much of Alex Ferguson’s reign. “It has to start with the way we play because results you cannot control,” he said. “You can control how you approach the game and how you play.”
LONDON: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has some serious selection dilemmas to weigh up as he looks to make more history in his record-setting start as Manchester United manager.
United beat second-tier strugglers Reading 2-0 in the third round of the English FA Cup yesterday for a fifth-straight win since Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho last month.
It ties the record of Matt Busby, who also won his first five games in charge in the 1946-1947 season.
Solskjaer can surpass Busby’s mark with a win at Tottenham in the English Premier League next weekend and more and more players are putting their hands up for selection, especially in attack.
Juan Mata, from the penalty spot, and Romelu Lukaku scored the first-half goals to see off Reading at Old Trafford, while Alexis Sanchez played a part in both strikes amid a busy display in the Chilean’s first start since returning from injury.
That trio is likely to start on the bench against Tottenham, with Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard seemingly Solskjaer’s preferred front three.
Lukaku, however, has now scored three goals in three games – the first two as a substitute – and Sanchez is surely a guaranteed starter once he gets back to playing like his old self more regularly.
United were sloppy against Reading, though, giving up a number of great scoring opportunities that the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are unlikely to pass up so easily next weekend.
Solskjaer played a virtual reserve team, sticking to his promise to give all his squad a chance to impress and Mata scored the opening goal in the 22nd minute. Following a move instigated by Sanchez down the left, Fred had a goal ruled out because of offside but a penalty was awarded following consultation with the video assistant referee (VAR) after a foul on Mata in the build-up.
The Spanish playmaker sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.
Sanchez then played a pass behind Reading’s defence for Lukaku to round the goalkeeper and slot home from an acute angle in stoppage time.
Sanchez went off just after the hour mark and appeared to point to his right thigh, suggesting an injury.