Chelsea v Man Utd

Tomorrow, 7.30pm

No one suggests he has been a particularly good talent spotter but he has demonstrated an ability to improve players. Erling Braut Haaland developed hugely under his tutelage and reaped Molde £7m when signing for Red Star Salzburg.

The more fundamental question relates to what tactical and strategic value United’s interim boss has revealed in Norway. In his autobiography, Ferguson tells the story of how Solskjaer, the perennial United substitute, would always sit on the bench making notes about the game which was unfolding.

‘So by the time he came on he had analysed who the opponents were, what positions they were assuming. He had those images all worked out for him like a diagram and he knew where to go and when. He had that analytical mind.’

Yet that’s not how Norwegian observers view him. The quality of players and level of competition in Norway’s Eliteserien are, with respect, simply not that good.

With the exception of Rosenborg — who Molde beat 1-0 last autumn — there is not much to pit your managerial wits against. If he had travelled Europe since leaving Cardiff he would have had the breadth of experience to perhaps challenge them. Instead, it is hard to see how he has that edge.

For now, a capacity to bring the best out of United’s lavishly assembled squad is enough for a club who have laboured under the monumental ego of Jose Mourinho. Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward last week publicly thanked Solskjaer who has presided over 10 wins in 12, for ‘reviving’ United’s performances. They speak every day.

Perhaps a return to more elementary and self-effacing managerial qualities will be enough. It is an absence of ego which has allowed Solskjaer to restore the club to its old values, take delight in the players he has inherited and turn to Ferguson like none other since the great manager walked away.

And perhaps he has more steel than he has been given credit for.

‘You usually cannot instil an edge in a player if somehow or other he didn’t acquire it as a teenager,’ Ferguson once said. ‘But every now and then there is an example that gives you hope. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer comes to mind.’