Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appeased Manchester United fans that were disgruntled in the end of last year with the guarantee that change was coming. Jack Wilkinson examines whether he has been in a position to deliver on such a promise…
This was the result that signalled the beginning of the gloomy death of Manchester United in the conclusion of last year.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s magnificent beginning – a draw from his first 11 matches and 10 wins – turned into nothing more than a distant memory from now Theo Walcott rattled to complete a humiliating defeat Merseyside.
Gary Neville labelled the performance at Goodison Park”rancid” and, even after apologising to the travelling United fans unfortunate enough to be present in person, Solskjaer promised alter – wholesale change.
It turned out to be a statement of intent from their Sir Alex Ferguson textbook as well as five months on, the manner in suggests it is a promise he’ll honor.
Ferguson was barking orders out before the ink had dried on his Manchester United contract in 1986. Then-chairman Martin Edwards was advised of this Scot’s desire and Brian McClair, Viv Anderson and Steve Bruce were signed in 18 weeks of his arrival.
That decisiveness in the transport market seems to have rubbed off on Solskjaer.
Participants deemed no longer fit for purpose are shown the door by any means required. Whether it be the departures of both Antonio Valencia and Ander Herrera, Romelu Lukaku and Matteo Darmian’s earnings, or even the financing and pushing through of loan deals including both Alexis Sanchez and Chris Smalling – there’s a ruthless edge to United’s dealings.
1 matter Solskjaer has yet to learn is the capability Ferguson had time and time to accommodate his playing style to suit new personnel and stay competitive.
After the humbling defeat at Everton, Solskjaer set the fundamental principle he wishes to specify his own time. “I want my group to be the hardest working team in the league,” he said. “That is what we had been beneath Sir Alex.”
While this addresses the first concerns within his team work-ethic of Solskjaer, it is tough to realize how that translates into the observable change in playing style United fans have been yearning for.
United’s initial their four last season after the defeat at Everton, and four Premier League games this season, give little indication about what he will pay , other than the fact it is very much a work in progress.
On the one hand, United have enjoyed more possession, won more duels, conceded fewer objects, and operate an average of 106.9kilometers per game – all positive indicators which Solskjaer’s doctrine is being executed.
On the flip side, an alarming drop in winning the ball high up the pitch and both interceptions suggest it’s going to take some time for the squad to successfully juggle the demands of their manager.
And time, finally, is what’s going to determine Solskjaer’s likelihood of success – period. Will he be given the opportunity to see the job he has started out?
It’s a precious commodity in the modern game, although ferguson famously acquired before he won his first league title. Advancement is being forced to decide on the much-needed dressing area reset Solskjaer, although results have clouded judgement on United’s start into the summer.
“It will take some time,” Neville said. “Not just to get people in the dressing room all facing the same way, but to find the quality in that is needed.
“It took Pep Guardiola 12 months, three transfer windows. It is taken four years or Jurgen Klopp three to impact the culture and receive a team in what he’d say is his own personality, his culture and everything he wishes to perform.
“This will be a long game at Old Trafford. To play the game, Solskjaer will require the aid. He is going to want really strong leadership during the next two or three seasons to be able to get those four or five transfer windows that he needs.”
United have been on their clean slate from the seven decades that have passed since the retirement of Ferguson. Following the outcome of the previous three below Louis van Gaal David Moyes and Jose Mourinho, the tenure of Solskjaer is one that’s working but must be given time where they feel that they belong to restore the club.
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