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Manchester United was in dreadful form before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over. The football they were playing was awful, results were not going their way and there was so much negativity surrounding the club under the previous manager. They sat sixth in the Premier League table, 11 points behind fourth place and 19 points off leaders Liverpool. When they were drawn against Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League, most expected the Paris side to play them out of the park. At the time, the United board took the decision of replacing Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer got the job as interim manager.
Three months later, Manchester United are in fourth place, one point clear of fifth-place Arsenal. This week, they performed a footballing miracle and became the first ever side to win a Champions League tie after losing the home game by two goals or more. Solkjaer's men are in the quarterfinals of both the FA Cup and the Champions League. The football they play is exhilarating and the feel-good factor is back at Old Trafford.
The credit goes to only one man- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The baby-faced assassin has turned the fortunes around for his former club and is now destined to get the job permanently. Here are three things he changed at Manchester United since his arrival.
#3 Playing style:
Manchester United was dreadful to watch under Jose Mourhino especially in his final months as the manager. The Portuguese used to set up his sides to defend rather than attack the opposition. His pragmatic approach was criticized by many fans and pundits. The style of play was contrasting to the attractive and entertaining football Manchester United are used to.
Solskjaer knows what it means to play for the club and what the fans expect from the team. He restored the way Manchester United play by adopting high-pressing and attacking style. His full-backs are in the opposition half for most of the game and the midfielders are given the freedom to roam around the pitch. This playing style not only pleases the fans but also complements his players and the results prove that.
#2 Bringing the Manchester United DNA back to the Club:
Manchester United are a club known for playing attractive football, giving youth a chance, and winning. Solskjaer has brought this DNA back to the club. The youth players are getting a chance. He has given debuts to Mason Greenwood, Taith Chong, and James Garner since taking over. The likes of Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba, Scott Mctominay, and Andreas Periera who came through the ranks have become a crucial part of the team under him. The fans love what he has done to the young players and his belief in these players is being paid back by them on the pitch. The victory against PSG was the perfect example of it as a depleted Manchester United side went to Paris and beat them on aggregate in the Champions League.
#1 He's getting the best out of his players:
Each and every Manchester United player is performing to the best of their potential since Solkskjaer took over. Paul Pogba looks like the world's best midfielder under him. The Frenchman has scored eight goals and provided six assists under the new coach and he has bossed the midfield every time he plays. Even attacking players like Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, Romelu Lukaku are all performing at their best under him. Fringe players like Scott Mctominay and Andreas Periera have done a competent job when needed. Solkskjaer's man-management has been fantastic and have helped him get his squad to play to their potential.
