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When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was selected as the caretaker Manager for Manchester United, there was an air of positivity around Old Trafford, as much from Mourinho's departure as from the appointment of a purebred Red Devil at the helm of the team. The expectations were simple - damage limitation.
When he took over, Manchester United were slipping dangerously away from the top of the table. United was a club in shambles; they were losing to their fiercest rivals and their performance on the field was poor. Mourinho's brand of football had started to take the club away from its identity and United were reduced to just spectators in the title challenge. Even a top four spot looked unachievable under the Portuguese, which was why he was asked to leave.
Solskjaer was not asked to mount a title challenge but was tasked with rejuvenating United's season, while also entertaining the Old Trafford faithful. A top-four spot was the primary aim, but the main target was to create a respectable basis for a permanent manager to take over in the Summer. The Norwegian was asked to hold the damage - he was only under contract until the end of the season.
Contrary to expectations, Solskjaer has almost turned United's season around. Mathematically, 8 wins from his first 8 games is the highest return possible, which has made him the darling of the United fans again. As such, the Norwegian is perhaps providing the greatest audition ever for a full-time job and here are five reasons why the upper management at Old Trafford should give him the full-time job.
#5 Knowledge of the club's roots
Manchester United is steeped in history. The club's image warrants a big character at the helm, as managing the big name players and the ethics of the club, while also delivering on the field required a strong hand. The Baby Faced Assassin looks to have the character and the attitude to manage his players because he has got the best out of them so far. But his greatest asset is his knowledge of the club.
Solskjaer played under Sir Alex Ferguson and has admitted that he has learnt a lot about football management from the great Scot. As such, the Norwegian is no stranger to the working of the club, the requirements and expectations that go hand in hand with the name of Manchester United.
He knows very well what it means to be at Manchester United and this is what makes him the perfect candidate to take the club forward.
#4 Improved club image
Ever since the Norwegian has taken over, Manchester United's image has improved. The first evidence of that change is the manager's press conference. Gone are the days of sulking, brooding and complaining about everything around. From highlighting other club's spending power to boasting about his own achievements, Mourinho's press conferences were always happening, but they did become a little irritating with time.
Solskjaer has brought a brightness not just at the club, but also in the press conferences. He is full of smiles and depicts a sense of wisdom far beyond his age. He displays all traits of a proper United manager and demands respect with his pleasant demeanour. But it is not just the image of the United manager that has improved.
Gone are the days when clubs came to Old Trafford knowing that they could sneak in at least a draw. Manchester United under Solskjaer are roaring again, frightening opponents and beating them at will. The old swagger is back - the Red Devils have successfully visited homes of their rivals and have come away with convincing wins.
The Norwegian has brought the fear factor back at Old Trafford in his short stay and his permanent appointment will only make things better in the long run.
#3 Player development
Every player who had looked out of place under Mourinho, looks rejuvenated and inspired under the Norwegian. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is like the seasoned cook who can make even a simple meal feel worldly. Only, at Manchester United, the world-class ingredients were already there and with his masterful touch, they have blossomed in full.
The defence has conceded just 5 goals in the 8 games so far. Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic have formed a midfield partnership that looks ready for top challenges. Individually, each player has improved, none more than Paul Pogba, who now consistently looks world class. The form and performance of the attacking players speak for themselves.
However, it is the development of the youngsters that has caught the eye. Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have been fantastic, world-class to say the least. Whatever Solskjaer has said and done to this United team has worked brilliantly and for that alone, the Norwegian needs to stay permanently.
#2 Tactical gameplay
His first five games were dismissed as easy; Manchester United was expected to win those games. Solskjaer's first test came at Tottenham, against the genius of a man rumoured to be the front runner for the permanent job at Manchester United. Mauricio Pochettino was expected to take over at Old Trafford in the summer, however, Solskjaer did his opponent no favours on the night.
United's win over Spurs, at their background, was a tactical masterclass from Solskjaer, who kept his fullbacks compact and used the speed in his team to mount a counter-attacking brand of football reminiscent of the Old Manchester United. It was the first time the Norwegian's tactical abilities came to the fore at United.
Instantly, he had overtaken the Argentinean as the front runner for the job. However, a seemingly bigger test awaited against Arsenal, in the FA Cup, at the Emirates. Once again, Solskjaer showed signs of a brilliant footballing brain, masterminding another impressive win. He used Arsenal's attacking football as an opportunity, exploiting the spaces left behind and capitalizing on the counter-attack.
The Norwegian has displayed a great understanding of the tactical side of the game so far, however, biggest tests await him, especially in the Champions League. But by the look of things, Solskjaer has the qualities to succeed in the long run.
#1 Style of play
With Solskjaer's arrival, the Manchester United brand of football is back. Old Trafford is buzzing as waves of attacks have ripped the opposition defences apart. United under Solskjaer has now scored 22 goals in 8 games and have also scored 5 goals in a game for the first time in 5 years!
While United's defence has taken the blame for the majority of the season, the Norwegian has managed to be compact at the back, while also emphasizing on the benefits of using attack as the first form of defence. As such, there have been just 5 goals conceded under his tenure so far. But it is the entertainment factor that has created an aura of the old yet again.
Players are no longer reluctant to try the spectacular, midfielders bomb forward and there have been an increase in the long-range efforts on goal. That has been mixed well with intricate passing, eye-catching skills and scintillating counter attacks. Solskjaer has Manchester United displaying the attractive brand of football that has been associated with the reign of Sir Alex Ferguson and this is perhaps the biggest reason why the Norwegian is the perfect man for the permanent job.
