‘Rambling’ Solskjaer is out of depth – but who
There was a moment during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s post-match interview when he lost his way, became incoherent and apologised for “rambling”.
It perfectly captured where Manchester United are right now: drifting aimlessly, listless, under a manager who is never going to turn this ship around.
Within an hour of the calamitous defeat at Leicester, the message was reiterated that Solskjaer’s position was secure and there was no appetite to end his tenure, despite another alarming afternoon.
How much longer can this go on? Every time Solskjaer is offered unequivocal support, perceived rivals such as Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea will know that United can be discounted as a threat.
With little leadership off the field, it begs the question as to whether outgoing executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is simply determined to avoid the mess of another managerial change before he departs.
Who is backing Solskjaer so strongly? Is it Woodward, whose exact exit date is still unknown, Richard Arnold, his inevitable replacement, or the Glazers?
Leicester were everything United should be on Saturday: well coached and organised, hungry and, perhaps most importantly, a team. Brendan Rodgers got all his substitutions right while Solskjaer’s changes were bewildering.
United are just a team of individuals, praying for a moment of brilliance to paper over the cracks. This is arguably the biggest club in the world, making do with a manager out of his depth. Forget the argument that Solskjaer is threatening to tarnish his legacy as a player: those memories will never disappear for the fans who still chant his name at every game, and will continue to do so regardless of the future.
This is simply an assignment that is far beyond him. This week’s matches against Atalanta in the Champions League on Wednesday, and Liverpool in the league on Sunday, could still prove pivotal.
Paul Pogba’s assessment after the match that “we need to change” will only crank up the tension and if Solskjaer loses the French midfielder, and others such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, there really will be no way back.
Pogba still does not appear happy with his position, while £73million signing Jadon Sancho produced another underwhelming performance and Harry Maguire, returning after a calf strain, played as if he had an oil rig on his shoulders.
Ronaldo was also quiet, and needs better service in the penalty area. When that does not arrive, he is nullified as an attacking threat.
Rodgers got his game plan spot
on and the outstanding Jonny Evans had the better of his former teammate. “Cristiano’s game has changed over these last number of years from being a dribbler to being an incredible goalscorer, where most of his goals come from inside the box,” Rodgers said.
“He’s a remarkable role model for all players, young and old, to devote your life to your career and have that hunger, ambition and drive to win and succeed. He’s a player who will always be a danger and you’ve seen that already with his numbers.”
Rodgers is now hoping this brilliant win will spark Leicester’s season into life, after a slow start to his third full campaign in charge. Before the visit of United they had been slow, ponderous and defensively suspect, yet here they were exhilarating to watch, boosted by the return of Evans.
“This returns us to the level we know we can play and that sets a benchmark,” Rodgers said. “We had a bit of work in the international break to fix that team and bring that verve back. We’ve delivered a really top-level performance against a United team full of incredible players, and you can see their record away over the last number of years.
“Jonny also gives security and assurance to a lot of the younger players around him, with his poise and influence. Normally when he plays we’re, of course, a much better team.”
United did take the lead through Mason Greenwood, with a stunning strike, but Leicester responded with goals from Youri Tielemans and Caglar Soyuncu.
Marcus Rashford, a substitute, equalised for the visitors but 54 seconds later Leicester regained the lead with Jamie Vardy’s superb halfvolley, before Patson Daka secured the win from close range.