Solskjaer’s test starts at Cardiff
CHALLENGING TIMES Manchester United’s caretaker manager has task cut out as he tries to revive club’s fortunes
CARDIFF: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first test as Manchester United’s caretaker manager will come in familiar surroundings as the Norwegian returns to Cardiff City on Saturday, hoping to fare better than he did during an illfated nine-month spell with the Welsh side in 2014.
Solskjaer’s appointment was described as designed to put a smile back on the face of everyone at the club after the confrontational end to Jose Mourinho’s two-and-a-half years in charge.
The new man’s first act on his return to the club’s Carrington training ground was reportedly to gift a bar of Norwegian chocolate to the club’s long-serving receptionist — a gesture of the human qualities United know they are getting. “The smiling assassin sums him up,” former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, who played with Solskjaer, told the BBC.
“He’s a lovely fella but Ole will let people know if he’s not happy with them.”
The best way for him to lighten to mood quickly will be with results on the pitch.
A 3-1 defeat by Liverpool last weekend left United 19 points off the league leaders and even 11 points adrift of the top four, but Solskjaer can look forward to a relatively forgiving fixture list over the festive period.
After visiting the Cardiff City Stadium, the Red Devils host Huddersfield and Bournemouth before travelling to Newcastle on January 2.
Solskjaer’s presence rekindles memories of United’s golden age, but also serves as a stark reminder of how far the club have fallen since the retirement of Alex Ferguson in 2013.
In 11 seasons under Ferguson as a predatory striker, Solskjaer scored 126 goals, including the one that famously won the Champions League final in 1999 as part of a treble of major trophies. Yet, doubts remain over whether Solskjaer’s appointment as caretaker boss until the end of the season is based too strongly on sentimentality than someone with the right mix of motivational and tactical prowess to get United not only com- peting again in the Premier League, but who can push Paris Saint-germain in a challenging Champions League last-16 tie.
His time at Cardiff that resulted in just three wins in 18 Premier League games, relegation and being sacked early the next season after a poor start in the Championship does not offer much cause for optimism.
But two spells in charge of Molde in his homeland have been far more successful and Solskjaer also started his managerial career working as United’s reserve coach, where he oversaw Paul Pogba among others.
worst start to the season in 28 years sounded the death knell for Jose Mourinho’s stint at Old Trafford. All eyes will now be on Solskjaer as he begins his effort to turn around their fortunes with a visit to Cardiff.
facing the Norwegian are bringing disgruntled star Paul Pogba back into the fold, liberating stifled attacking players and tightening up a leaky defence.
expecting miracles from him, Solskjaer will have less pressure to script a turnaround. But can he be a successful “Super Sub” in manager’s role? Man United caretaker manager
the season as hot favourites to defend their Premier League crown but Liverpool have emerged as genuine title contender.
unbeaten leaders are on a six-match winning streak and will be hoping to retain top spot on Christmas Day.
four sides to be in front on December 25 has gone on to win the title, though Liverpool themselves were the last side to fail to do so, in 2013/14.
League defeat, against Chelsea, hardly spelled disaster for Manchester City but it notably came with both Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero missing.
in the midweek League Cup win on penalties against Leicester, with Arsenal v Burnley Bournemouth v Brighton Chelsea v Leicester Huddersfield v Southampton Man City v Crystal Palace Newcastle v Fulham
West Ham v Watford
Cardiff City v Man United De Bruyne scoring his first goal of an injury-blighted season.
much-vaunted strength in depth, Guardiola needs De Bruyne's creativity and Aguero's goals as he remains in the hunt for a trophy clean sweep.