OLE CAN MATCH BUSBY
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER can achieve something only Sir Matt Busby has done before with Manchester United when he takes charge of his fourth match at Newcastle tonight. Solskjaer, left, has made a dream start to his interim role at Old Trafford, overseeing three victories and 12 goals scored. The Norwegian’s predecessor Jose Mourinho also won his first three league matches in charge but lost his fourth and only Busby, who chalked up five successive wins, has ever had a better start.
Solskjaer has been aided by the fixture list, with Cardiff, Huddersfield and Bournemouth hardly the most formidable opposition, and the same can be said for Newcastle. Rafa
Benitez’s side have only won one of their last seven matches and are just three points above the relegation zone.
The only real negative so far for Solskjaer has been the failure to keep a clean sheet, with United having conceded 32 goals already this season, the most of the top 11 in the Premier League table and five more than Newcastle.
He said: “We are looking for that clean sheet. We are looking for that foundation to let those front four just go and enjoy themselves because, when you know you are keeping a clean sheet at the back, it is easier to perform and to create chances, nothing is rushed.”
What is certain is that, while Solskjaer is in the hot seat, United will keep trying to play with the attacking flair that has delighted fans.
“You don’t always get the results and points you maybe deserve and it’s about performances and playing the right way,” he said. “As long as you play the right way, if you dominate games, then, more often than not, you’ll get enough points in the end.
“You can’t control if it goes in off the post or out and things like that.”
United have not won at St James’ Park since 2015, with Matt Ritchie scoring the only goal of the game last season.
Solskjaer will have to make a change in his defence, with Eric Bailly beginning a three-match ban following his dismissal against Bournemouth.
Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo remain sidelined through injury so Phil Jones is set to come in and partner Victor Lindelof.
Solskjaer, meanwhile, has confirmed Alexis Sanchez will be in the squad for the first time since November after recovering from a hamstring problem, while Marcus Rashford is expected to be available.
Hall is the former chairman who was in charge when the Magpies last came close to silverware.
Under Kevin Keegan, Newcastle famously blew a 12-point lead in 1995-96 as Manchester United overhauled them. And they also lost successive FA Cup finals in the same decade with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side beating them on the way to their historic Treble in 1999.
In 1996, Newcastle thrashed the Red Devils 5-0 in a match Sir John cites as the high point of his time at the helm and, as the teams meet at St James’ Park tonight, he admits his expectations are very different now.
“What a magnificent day that was,” he says. “One of the great Premier League performances which is still talked about all these years later.
“But do you know something? I’ll be celebrating if we manage to draw this one. Back then, the aim every season was to win the title. Now it’s all about survival.”
Now 85 and living in the quiet Northumbrian town Alnwick, 30 miles north of Newcastle, the tycoon responsible for building the huge Metro Centre shopping complex will mark the half-century since Bobby Moncur lifted the Inter-City Fairs Cup in 1969 with a mixture of sadness and resignation.
“There have been a lot of ups and downs – probably a few more downs in recent times,” he says.