Are Solskjaer's tactics behind United's injury crisis? 

Manchester United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have been going from strength to strength. As of 2nd March (excluding Saturday's matches), United have recorded more number of points than any other team in the English Premier League since the Norwegian's arrival. They won the most games, the only team to have not lost a game, conceded the fewest goals and have the best goal difference.

EPL teams since Solskjaer took over:

United - 29 points

Liverpool - 24 points

Man City - 24 points

Arsenal - 22 points

There has been a clear change in tactics, as United under Jose Mourinho played a defensive game, contrary to the club's attacking mindset right now. With Ole in-charge, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba have been a revelation. Luke Shaw, who was in and out of the side under Mourinho, is quickly making up his claim to be one of the Premier League's best left-back currently.

Jose was sacked after the 3-1 loss at Anfield.

Few back passes, more team pressing and counter-attacking football is the way forward for United under Solskjaer and rightly so. In the away game against Crystal Palace, which United won 3-1, Luke Shaw was seen pacing up and down the left-flank, something that was a rarity under Jose. Running down, he went past two defenders into the box, to slip in the ball to Lukaku, who did the rest.

"That’s what Manchester United are built around – attacking football and going forward. Not stupid square and back passes.", Solskjaer, when asked about Jose's style of play.

The attacking game, which involves taking runs and applying constant pressure, seems to be taking a toll on the body of the players. Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial got injured in the first half against PSG in the Champions League Round of 16 match, with both of them out for 2-3 weeks.

Nemanja also got out to a muscle injury just before the home game against Liverpool. The worst came in the first half against the table toppers. In the first half itself, Solskjaer was forced to make three changes with Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard (who came in as a sub himself) all out to muscle injuries.

Marcus Rashford, who suffered an ankle injury in between the game, had to carry on for the entire 90 minutes because United were out of substitutions.

Lingard who came in as a sub, making way for Alexis Sanchez after he pulled his hamstring

When asked if the attacking play was hurting the players, this is what the interim manager had to say:

“It’s probably linked, yes (injuries linked to an intense style). Do you wait until pre-season and think you will change results by just not asking them to run, or do we start now and show them what the demands of intensity are and how we want to play?"

“You have seen what I have chosen. I have chosen that we need to play as a Man United team, and if you want to be a part of Man United, it’s a survival of the fittest, isn’t it?"

Wise words from a wise man. Solskjaer has been at Old Trafford for over 11 years and he understands the intensity that the club demands. With this, he is not only making a claim for a top-four finish or a FA cup this year, but he is also preparing the players for the next season. Physical fitness – endurance, balance, coordination and speed are the vital cogs that the game demands these days.

It may not have turned out to be the perfect script for Solskjaer, but it's the right way forward.