Ole learns the arts of mastery

GIVEN the closeness to a trophy, it was inevitable a certain shade was cast by the glare of the spotlight on both managers.

They stood for long periods just yards apart from each other – yet, in terms of records, they are miles apart.

Carlo Ancelotti is the Manchester United manager they never had, Sir Alex Ferguson’s attempt to bring the Italian as his successor in 2013 thwarted by Real Madrid’s rival advances.

Yet his record since then, as the Manchester club burned through a succession of managers, shows what might have been. Seven major trophies, two world coachof-the-year awards and a knowledge that

Ole Gunnar

Solskjaer cannot yet match.

It was evident here. Everton’s perceived lack of quality, in comparison to their EFL Cup rival, seemed obvious in the opening stages, as United poured forward and keeper Robin Olsen was called into action twice to deny Edinson Cavani.

Yet, slowly, Ancelotti wove his peculiar brand of magic to bring his own team more into the game, particularly in the second half. It should not have happened. United should have secured their place in the semi-final in those opening minutes – not with their last-gasp flurry.

Ancelotti’s quality has improved Everton so much and made them this competitive.

And Solskjaer might have been thought to have underestimated the opponent with so many team changes.

But in the end it was United who went through. So maybe Ole isn’t so slow on the uptake now.