Solskjaer helped make me real Fab, says former Reds player

IT is difficult to state just how big Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s impact on United has been.

Since the fan favourite returned as caretaker manager, he has revitalised a stagnant season by rejuvenating the Reds’ dream of a top-four finish in the Premier League as well as guiding them to the quarterfinals of both the FA Cup and Champions League.

A key contributor to the success has been the newfound belief instilled in the squad, particularly among strikers Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford.

Although Solskjaer has exceeded expectations with his phenomenal impact at Old Trafford it is of little surprise to former United forward Febian Brandy, who worked under the Norwegian coach at reserve level.

“He was able to see attributes in players they didn’t realise they had,” said Brandy (pictured). “I used to take a lot of touches in the penalty area to get that clear shot, but Ole took me aside and said, ‘Sometimes you just need to control it and shoot.’

“I developed that in my game and I could see the ball was going through defenders’ legs and catching keepers off guard. If it wasn’t for Ole I wouldn’t have recognised that ability.”

Brandy never managed to make the breakthrough at United, and although he was released from the club at the age of 19, he doesn’t regret the way his career panned out.

He continued: “When you get older you start to wonder whether you’re going to get into the first team, and by the time I was 19 I realised my chances were getting quite limited. I was injured quite a lot, which didn’t help my development but when I realised I wasn’t going to get the contract I wanted I was obviously upset – it’s Man United, I am a Manchester lad.

“But it’s opening a door to a new chapter.”