OLE BRINGS MAN UNITED LEGENDS
MANCHESTER United’s dramatic turnaround in form has coincided with a host of changes behind the scenes from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - such as drafting in club legends such as Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs to inspire the team, reports claim.
The Red Devils are joint-top of the Premier League alongside rivals Liverpool after four wins in their last five games, with the team bouncing back from one of their worst starts to a season.
Solskjaer found himself under immense pressure following some patchy form and worrying defeats - including a 6-1 home thrashing by Tottenham in October - and became one of the favourites for the sack.
But he has worked hard in the background to improve the team’s fortunes and create ‘a family feel’ at their Carrington training ground, according to the Athletic.
Solskjaer has been ‘grafting hard’ at Old Trafford while many bookies had him as one of their favourites for the axe, and he stayed in Manchester during the recent international break in November - even though his own family headed back to Norway - the report adds.
The former Molde boss has been paying close attention in particular to the club’s young talent, encouraging starlets to play beyond their age groups to challenge them, and is attempting to fasttrack the signing of 18-year-old Amad Diallo.
Sportsmail reported last month that
United were in the process of securing a Governing Body Endorsement from the FA that will lead to him being granted a work permit and the winger is set to link up with them imminently.
The £37million recruit will join a group that is thriving under a set of analysts and specialists aiming to improve performance on the smallest of scales, the Athletic says.
Solskjaer has overhauled his backroom staff and hired head of data Andrew Meredith - who feeds information to coaches and players - while head of performance Richard Hawkins analyses the group from a physical perspective.
Martyn Pert, who has been at United since last season, specialises in keeping players who aren’t playing fit and ensuring they are ready when called upon.
And in addition to securing experts on the training ground, he’s also been keen to ensure there are people present who know the club inside out. - Daily Mail.