SOLSKJAER COULD DO A DI MATTEO FOR UNITED IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, INSISTS KILBANE
KEVIN KILBANE sees echoes of Chelsea’s march to Champions League glory in 2012 in Manchester United’s resurgence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. And the Irish centurion is adamant the United hierarchy should stop dithering over the next permanent manager and appoint the Norwegian right away. ‘Look at where Chelsea were when (Roberto) Di Matteo took over. They were gone, they were dead, they were never going to do anything in the Premier League and yet they won the Champions League. ‘I think United are playing a better brand of football now than Chelsea were back then. ‘Two months ago, I wouldn’t have given them a hope in hell of getting anywhere near PSG. Now, I’m thinking they’ve got a great chance. ‘The young players are all playing well, everyone is playing for their manager, they’re playing great football, especially on the counter-attack. ‘Look at (Anthony) Martial’s goal against Fulham at the weekend. That’s what I remember about United sides when I was growing up, they were always devastating on counter-attacking. ‘They’ve got pace with Martial and (Marcus) Rashford in the team and they’ve got a great chance of getting through this game.’ Kilbane’s position has shifted as United have strengthened under Solskjaer ahead of the last 16 first leg tie tonight
with PSG (live on Virgin Media Sport). ‘A few weeks ago, I’d have thought what is the point in giving him the job, they might as well leave it until the end of the season. ‘I think it will be a boost for everyone to give it to him now. I think he’s in a position to take it. Clearly the players want to play for him, he’s getting the best out of them.’ In 2012, Chelsea’s chiefs gave Di Matteo the job as caretaker in early March and hit the jackpot when the unheralded Italian led the Blues to FA Cup and Champions League glory. Former Ireland manager Brian Kerr feels United are unrecognisable from when Solskjaer was appointed. ‘A couple of months ago you would have ruled United out of beating PSG. They were in rag order and losing matches and players like Martial wanted out. ‘Neymar is injured and (Edison) Cavani might be in trouble so can (Kylian) Mbappe do it on his todd? United definitely have a chance over the two legs. You look at the team last weekend and they left out (Jesse) Lingard, Rashford and the two centre-halves, played (Chris) Smalling and (Phil) Jones who have not really been playing, yet they still looked very strong.’ Ahead of the last-16 ties which kick off tonight, Kerr reckons Real Madrid’s drive for five may not be straightforward. ‘I think it is more open than previously and Real Madrid are not as good as they have been in recent seasons although they beat Atletico 3-1 at the weekend. ‘Without Ronaldo, it’s back to (Sergio) Ramos, (Raphael) Varane and Casemiro — he had not been playing recently. ‘With Real Madrid, the pre-Christmas stuff does not matter that much, it’s when the Champions League gets back going again there seems to be an attitude about the club that knows what it takes to peak at the right time.
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