Savvy Solskjaer such a stunning revelation
I EXPECTED Manchester United to improve and play with more freedom once Jose Mourinho had left the building, but I have to be honest and say the level of tactical awareness shown by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and an ability to change things during matches has been a big surprise. He’s proven himself savvy in finding the right balance between bringing back the United tradition of going out to win games but also adapting to the opposition when required, so it’s not overly cavalier.
When I use the phrase ‘tactical awareness’, I don’t just mean which formation you set up with — though Solskjaer’s United can mix it up from 4-3-3 to a midfield diamond and split strikers.
What Solskjaer has done is impose a different philosophy at the club and create an atmosphere where players are usually encouraged to break forward, try things, and not feel they will get a hairdryer if it doesn’t come off.
The clever part is that a happier bunch of players are then more accepting if you ask them to perform a sacrificial role for the team.
I’m thinking about Romelu Lukaku’s selflessness as a wide player recently trying to stop Liverpool’s full-backs when United were stricken by injuries at Old Trafford. He was happy to do it because he knew that wouldn’t be his job every week. The response? Six goals in three games including a double in Wednesday’s win against PSG. I bet Arsenal aren’t looking forward to seeing him today!
Even with injuries, Solskjaer has the squad who can adjust to exploit opposition weaknesses. Marcus Rashford and Lukaku might not play as wide today but if they occupy the space between United’s two centrehalves and the full-backs, it will cause Unai Emery a real problem — does Laurent Koscielny hold his line or move out, do the full-backs come inside to stop the danger?
The win in Paris a few days ago was fortunate in terms of possession and chances but with nine injuries and suspension to Paul Pogba, it took intelligence from the manager and motivational powers to make players like Andreas Pereira and Fred, rarely given a chance by Mourinho, believe they could do it.
You can see there is a confidence about the United camp moment reminiscent of the old days and huge credit has to be given to Mike Phelan and Michael Carrick in that as well.
All the talk a few months ago was that United’s central defenders were hopeless regardless of who the manager was. I don’t hear many complaints at the moment about Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof.
Football changes quickly and we don’t know if United will finish in the top four or win a trophy this term. It’s tight in the Premier League with Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal around them; they have a tough FA Cup quarter-final at Wolves coming up and the Champions League is obviously difficult to win.
I don’t see the wheels coming off but, regardless of whether United win silverware or qualify for the Champions League next season, Solskjaer has done enough to be given the chance in the longer term.
That doesn’t mean there has to an announcement right away. The feelgood factor at United is so high just now it doesn’t need lifting. In fact, confirmation now would start a new kind of hype — which players will Solskjaer bring in, which ones doesn’t he want, all that stuff.
Behind the scenes, they should tell Ole he’s their man for next season and beyond, but publicly, just carry on as interim for now. It’s working so far!