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It has been just over 7 weeks for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the caretaker manager for Manchester United and the Norwegian is enjoying a highly successful run so far. United are currently unbeaten in the last 10 games in all competitions since Solskjaer took over the reins, a period where they won 9 of those games. The effects of this fantastic run have slowly started to show.
In the Premier League, United have climbed one place to 5th position and are just 2 points away from the coveted 4th position. They have drawn Chelsea in the F.A. Cup 5th round and the Red Devils will go into the tie with renewed vigour and confidence.
When the Champions League round of 16 revealed that United had been pitted against PSG, the French Champions were overwhelming favourites to go through to the quarterfinals. However, Solskjaer's men will have PSG worried ahead of the tie right now.
While there are many factors which have helped Solskjaer turn around the tide for United, perhaps one of the most important has been the Norwegian's consistency in team selection. Solskjaer knew quite early what his United team would look like and he has moulded the personalities under his command to fit his needs. He has made very little changes to the starting eleven, and after 10 games, seems to have finally zeroed in his best starting eleven. Today, we take a look at the 11 men that make up Solskajer's best team at Manchester United right now.
Formation: 4-3-3 (Attacking)
Goalkeeper - David De Gea
This was perhaps one of his easier choices, given the candidates for the role. While Sergio Romero is a fantastic keeper, he does fall short of the abilities of De Gea. The Spaniard is the reigning Golden Glove winner but had a horrible start to the season under Mourinho, where he had gathered just 5 clean sheets in 22 games.
Things have improved under the Norwegian and De Gea has managed 3 clean sheets in his 8 appearances under Solskjaer. Having the best goalkeeper in the world protecting your goal can do wonders for a team and Solskjaer has no problem selecting David De Gea in his team.
Left-Back - Luke Shaw
One of Solskjaer's earliest decisions was reinstating Luke Shaw back into the team and the youngster has not disappointed so far. He has been heavily involved in the build-up play and has a great passing average. His partnership with Martial up front has also been noteworthy. But Shaw has not just impressed while going forward, he has been solid at the back too. He is fearless in his challenges and is not afraid to throw his body on the line. Luke Shaw is Solskjaer's preferred left back so far and should remain so for the rest of the season.
Right-Back - Ashley Young (Captain)
This is an area of concern for Solskjaer because it is a weak point in his team right now. Dalot has done a commendable job whenever he has been drafted in, however, he lacks the experience to carry on the job week-in-week-out. With club captain Valencia failing to impress, Solskjaer has put his trust on Ashley Young to carry out a job on the right side of the defense and the Englishman has been decent so far.
Even though Young does have a few flaws when operating on the right, he is still United's safest best role right now, and until Dalot gathers some more experience, should continue as the right back for Solskjaer's best XI.
Center-Back - Eric Bailly
Even though Phil Jones started most of the games for Solskjaer, he does have a degree of uncertainty in his defending. Bailly jeopardized things by picking up a red card against Bournemouth but has looked strong whenever he has been on the pitch. His steel was vital in United's wins against Arsenal in the FA Cup and Leicester City last weekend in the Premier League. Even though the Ivorian still has an erratic side to his game, his speed, physical presence and tenacity are a welcome addition to this team, and Bailly should be Solskjaer's first choice center-back for the rest of the season.
Center-Back - Victor Lindelof
One of the pick of the players under Solskjaer and also among those who have improved the most in recent times, Victor Lindelof convinced the United board that spending on a defender in January was not required. The Swedish defender has grown in stature with every passing game, adding a degree of steel to his performances. His tackles have been robust, his reading of the game is impeccable and it is not a surprise that he has started in 9 of Solskjaer's 10 game in charge. Victor Lindelof is the Norwegian's main man in defense and is a vital cog in his best XI
Central Midfield - Ander Herrera
The Spaniard has been indispensable for Solskjaer in recent times and his absence was desperately felt in the game against Burnley, the only match that the Norwegian has failed to win so far. Herrera brings a bite to the midfield and compliments both Matic and Pogba very well. His intelligence and ability to read the game are vital, while his wide range of skills bodes well with Solskjaer's tactics. Herrera should continue his good form in Solskjaer's midfield for the rest of the season now.
Central Midfield - Nemanja Matic
Nemanja Matic is essential to United for his diligence and work ethics. The Serbian is a fantastic shield for the back four and he makes up for his lack of pace with his intelligent positioning. Solskjaer has tweaked Matic's responsibilities a little since taking over, which means that Matic now does a lot more when he has the ball and when United have the ball in the opposition half. While his defensive contributions have been massive, Matic has been equally efficient with the ball at his feet and provides a solid base that is necessary for Solskjaer's team to function smoothly.
Central Midfield - Paul Pogba
The Norwegian generally positions Pogba on the left in a three-man midfield, but the Frenchman enjoys a lot more freedom during the game. Pogba has the license to roam and pop up wherever on the field he deems necessary and this trust from his new manager has worked brilliantly for him. His teammates have turned to him for inspiration on quite a few games in recent times and Pogba has not disappointed. He is the heart of Solskjaer's team, he provides the guile, that magic touch that keeps the team ticking.
Right-Forward - Jesse Lingard
Who would have thought that Jesse Lingard would turn up to be an important part of Solskjaer's plans? In truth, it is Lingard's desire and relentlessness on the field which has sealed his place in the team. The Englishman is never tired of running and pestering the opponents and he carries out the role given to him with great efficiency. So even though he might start as a right forward, he drifts inside and interchanges positions with his teammates. He has also been excellent in the False 9 role this season and has successfully kept a host of big names out of the team and should continue to do the same in the forthcoming games.
Left-Forward - Anthony Martial
Solskjaer is spoilt for choice when it comes to the left-forward position. Rashford can play there, as can Alexis Sanchez. However, no one has been as effective as Anthony Martial down the left recently for Manchester United. The Frenchman has been the most consistent performer for United this season and brings a special touch to the left side. His finishing has massively improved and his partnership with Luke Shaw has been fascinating to watch ever since Solskjaer took over. But it is Martial's abilities to affect the game from the left as well as the center that makes him Solskjaer's favoured choice down the left.
Center Forward - Marcus Rashford
The Englishman is Solskjaer's trump card, his secret weapon and the Norwegian has used his young No. 10 extremely well. Rashford, like Pogba, enjoys a degree of freedom that his talent demands. He has all the qualities that Solskjaer wants in his front man - he is fast, he is extremely skilful and has a venomous shot in him. And under his new manager's watchful eye, the English youngster has improved his finishing and has added a degree of confidence to his game, that is necessary for a successful goalscorer. As a result, Marcus Rashford is one of the most dangerous forwards in the Premier League in current form and he is Solskjaer's preferred choice to lead the Manchester United attack right now.
