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Ever since Ole Gunnar Solksjaer took over the reins at Manchester United, there has been a sudden, pleasing change of fortunes that no one would have initially expected.
The Norwegian has transformed the morale of the team as a whole, which has seen the side lose only one game since the humbling 3-1 loss at Anfield. The major reason behind this remarkable turnaround of form has been the fact that Solksjaer has been able to extract the best out of United’s star players.
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The likes of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Marcus Rashford were having indifferent seasons under the guidance of Jose Mourinho. However, Solksjaer’s different approach to football management has seen them perform to their level best in the last few months.
Hence, when United were struck with a worrying injury crisis, there were tensions all around. As many as 10 first-team players were missing when they traveled to Paris to overturn a 2-0 home leg deficit. Even then, United managed to script an excellent result.
The heart of this match obviously lied in the fringe players taking their opportunities and making the most of it.
These are good signs for the club and speak volumes of Solksjaer’s man-management, as most of these players were unable to get the required playing time when the first-choice starting XI was available.
Here, we look at five of such players, who have stepped up during this moment of crisis for the Red Devils.
#5 Scott McTominay
The Scottish midfielder was promoted to the first team under the tutelage of Mourinho in February last season. However, earlier this season, he was played at different positions at times, which took a significant hit at his confidence too.
McTominay wasn’t involved in the starting XI much even under Solksjaer and there were many reports stating that he would be sent on loan at Aberdeen or Celtic in January. However, when the situation arose, McTominay stepped up and grabbed his opportunities with both hands.
Nemanja Matic was injured before the game against Liverpool and McTominay slotted brilliantly in the hole left by the Serbian in front of the back line. The young lad has been able to guide the midfield, shield the back line and work the ball out wide to initiate attacks too.
His tall stature makes him a useful player while defending set-pieces. McTominay is a tireless worker on the field, and was successful in neutralizing the impact of Marco Verratti against in the away leg.
He pressed their midfield incessantly and thereby managed to thwart the waves of attack to United’s defensive half. It is safe to say that McTominay has certainly auditioned well to take over the defensive midfielder’s role in a few years’ time.
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#4 Diogo Dalot
The case of Diogo Dalot is very interesting. He was marred with injuries early in the season and hence missed the majority of matches until December. His first start against Fulham was excellent as he provided some attacking impetus that was lacking from the right flank for United.
However, he faced difficulty in dealing against Huddersfield Town during one of the initial games of Solksjaer’s tenure. Since then, the Portuguese lad has been in and out of the side, until the manager decided to give him a role higher up on the right flank.
Dalot impressed in that role against Crystal Palace, as his mean crosses and tenacious ability to peg down his adversaries from that flank meant that United had a better balance from the right wing. Then again, he provided instant impact by assisting the equalizer against Southampton.
One of Dalot’s laudable qualities has been that he has been able to come on as a substitute and quickly adapt to the game situation. Even against PSG, he was brought in after Eric Bailly was unable to play well from the right sided position in the back line.
Dalot came on, made some good runs, provided a couple of good crosses and then was ultimately responsible for the decisive spot-kick decision too. He took a good long-range shot which was sort of handled by Presnel Kimpembe. His versatility to play both higher up and down the right flank has been extremely beneficial for the team.
#3 Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling saw himself out of the playing XI initially in Solksajer’s term as Ole preferred Phil Jones to partner Victor Lindelof. Primarily, it was because of Jones’ ball-playing abilities.
This is one thing that has worked against Smalling throughout the years, as his abilities on the ball are painfully limited for a modern day center back. However, he tends to make up for it at United with his impressive aerial abilities and timely goals whenever required.
Now, in the last few games, Smalling has managed to provide decent contributions, combining with Lindelof to tighten up United’s back line.
He was impressive against Liverpool, and was unlucky to miss out on scoring a goal late into the game. Then, though he was culpable for ball-watching during PSG’s first goal, Smalling more than made up for it with a good, level-headed performance thereafter.
His crucial block in the 84th minute kept United in the game and that needs to be applauded too. Though Smalling might not be the most ideal center back that a top team would look for, he has always come up with decent performances whenever required, barring some errors at times.
#2 Andreas Pereira
Andreas Pereira was being groomed for the number 6 role on the field early on the season. He started the match against Leicester City and did fairly well. Then, a horrendous team performance against Brighton saw him bow out of the starting XI and never make a consistent comeback after that.
There were some appearances here and there, but there has been a growing consensus that the Brazilian would look for a move away from the club for his future. However, during this midfield injury crisis, Pereira has performed a variety of roles and contributed excellently in all of them.
His goal against Southampton is one to be remembered. Pereira made a good run from the midfield, and from an unorthodox position, launched the ball over the defenders to the top corner of the net.
Old Trafford was set abuzz and Pereira’s goal was widely applauded among the masses. In the last few games, he has played as a number 10, as one of the midfield trident and has managed to deliver laudable performances each time.
He started off out of sorts against PSG, but managed to carve his way back into the game quite well afterward. Pereira possesses the Brazilian flair and United’s characteristic tenacity too.
It’s up to him now to further enhance his reputation by delivering good performances in the upcoming chances.
#1 Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku has finally come at his own after a prolonged goal-drought and loss of confidence. Due to Marcus Rashford’s commendable improvement against Solskjaer, Lukaku was dethroned as the first-choice striker at United.
However, Ole managed to keep the Belgian motivated, and when the time came, the former Everton star has delivered remarkably well for the team. Lukaku has now notched three consecutive braces against Crystal Palace, Southampton and most importantly, away from home at PSG.
Ole’s philosophy of playing an offensive brand of football has gauged well with Lukaku, who has overcome his poor form to contribute meaningfully in any given opportunity. He has even played from the right flank whenever asked for by the manager.
This has allowed Solksjaer to accommodate the in-form man Rashford upfront. Also, this allows the team to make more benefit of Lukaku’s excellent crossing abilities too.
Furthermore, Lukaku has shown that he is a complete team-man, as he has notched goals in every single opportunity and improved his form after a mediocre start to the season.
His goals against PSG stimulated one of the club’s greatest ever European nights, and the Belgian ace could only improve from hereon under the watchful guidance of United’s very own, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.
