ARMED AND DANGEROUS
Ole’s gentle touch getting best out of Jose rejects
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER believes his softly-softly approach has been key to getting the best out of players who struggled with tough love under his predecessor.
The Manchester United manager has unlocked potential in Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba, a pair who often found themselves on the outside under hard-nosed Jose Mourinho.
And while Solskjaer is keen to deflect credit to his players and his staff, there seems no doubt the arm-around-the-shoulder rather than the boot-up-the-backside is working.
“We have set a culture in the way we want to behave and that’s helped them,” he said ahead of the trip to Fulham tonight.
“But personally I like to speak to them, I like to have individual chats.
“I am probably more honest with them there but you always try to walk out of that room having affected each other, or I’ve made them think what they need to do to get back into the team. I remember from my time the managers and coaches
I’ve had, and when they took the time to really see me as a human being, the whole me, my family and everything. That is a big part of my style.”
Of all his players, left-back Shaw seems to have benefited most from Solskjaer’s approach.
For a player whose fitness was criticised by Louis van Gaal and who was ridiculed publicly for not being able to think for himself on the pitch by Mourinho, the Norwegian’s touch has proved a golden one.
Solskjaer suggested that becoming a father has sparked a change in Shaw’s life, but he also insisted the defender has proved receptive to advice.
“I have spent a lot of time speaking to Luke,” said Solskjaer
“He is a boy I enjoy talking to and trying to help.
“He wants to be about getting him football.”
United head to Craven Cottage having managed to score just two goals in their past four games in better. It was to enjoy his all competitions New Year’s Day.
Solskjaer denied that Portuguese linchpin Bruno Fernandes was in need of a rest, despite having played more minutes than any other United forward since player since last January.
And he has no doubts that his collection of front men can start banging the goals in again soon enough.“Bruno is not tired – no chance – and he has been immense signing for us,” said Solskjaer.
“And I know Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood will score more goals because we see that quality all the time.
“I am not worried about that. I trust the players we have in there to come good again.”