Manchester United have been transformed since Ole Gunnar Solskjær was hired in December to replace the tetchy Jose Mourinho. He regained his identity and seemed confident under the Norwegians.
However, the excellent United result under his tutelage masked some mediocre performances by individual players and the team as a whole. Such shortcomings have been revealed in their last two games, a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal and a shocking FA Cup victory at the hands of the Wolves.
To understand why The time spent by Solskjær at the bar is not quite what it seems to be, one must first look at the situation of the club when it arrived. The Red Devils were in turmoil, languishing at 11 points from the Premier League the first four have suffered a number of humiliating defeats. They were also unceremoniously expelled from the League Cup in September by Championship outfit County Derby.
In comparison with the events that preceded his acting appointment, almost everything Solskjær realized would have seemed impressive. It is hard to exaggerate how much the United season had been terrible, with the atmosphere at Old Trafford significantly less lenient under Mourinho.
In this darkness, the Champions League winner offered something completely different. It offered positivity, kindness and gave players a chance to play without fear. These are undoubtedly his most noble qualities, characteristics that attach him to the faithful of Old Trafford. United was what United desperately needed, but it's not enough to cover the cracks in the walls and is not a long-term solution.
For all these wonderful traits, Solskjær has sometimes shown tactical naivety. One of the most striking examples has come, somewhat disconcertingly, in its best hour so far.
The surprising victory at Parc des Princes – where United beat the first-leg deficit in the first leg against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League to last 16 – will remain alive in the fans' memory, but it will not be a problem. posting was average that night. . In fact, it was poor.
The visitors were outclbaded by their French opponents in almost every aspect of the game, with the exception of the score. United had only 28% possession of the ball that night, had no corner and conceded three times more shots than his hosts. The hype around the club would have you believe that they are, again, one of the best in Europe, but this presentation contradicts any suggestion of this type.
These overwhelming statistics are compounded by the triumph of the team. Their first two scores were extremely fortuitous, coming directly from the terrible mistakes of their opponents. In addition, the winner of Marcus Rashford's lap times was very well placed. litigation, the difficult decision of the referee Daniele Orsato was greeted by both a chorus of screams and a sea of confusion aroused by supporters and experts.
Paul Pogba on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer:
"Of course, we want him to stay. The results have been great. I have a great relationship with him, he has an excellent relationship with the players. "
It would be a shame that Ole did not see himself entrusting the post after what he did! pic.twitter.com/q55HMwM9GS
– Oddschanger (@Oddschanger) March 20, 2019
For many, including some players, this famous Parisian night has strengthened the position of the Norwegian as the best possible candidate for the permanent position. However, since they secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the United States has fallen to damaging losses to Emirates and Molineux.
Although they remain in the European elite competition, their best chance to qualify for the next season's edition is undeniably the top four in the Premier League. They were in fourth position in the showdown with the Gunners, but seemed lethargic and unclear as their opponents pbaded them; Emery had been working with his counterpart at a crucial time.
In the defeat against the Wolves in FA Cup last weekend the team seemed indifferent, relying on moments of individual brilliance rather than on the cohesion of the team. These consecutive failures may indicate that the honeymoon period is over.
It is certainly not strange to say that the 46-year-old is less skillful with tactics than team morale. His time at City of Cardiff witness this; 4-0 thrashings against Hull City and Sunderland, plus a 6-3 home record against Liverpool, are just a few of the results that have characterized his lamentable tenure in South Wales.
Solskjær expressed his concern after defeating 2-1 last Saturday, admitting that his players have been deceived in recent weeks.
"It was a big step backwards, mainly because of the quality of the possession and the disappearance, "he said. BBC Sport. "We had a good race and now we have had two defeats. Against Arsenal, we simply could not score and it was mediocre. "
It may be that the Red Devils are simply losing their momentum. After the authoritarian and demoralizing management of Mourinho, players would have been prompted to act by freedom of expression and optimism. Solskjær provides.
However, this kind of momentum can not go so far. It is advantageous to have a smiling coach who is proud and who takes care of his recruits. But, organizational skills and tactical insight are also needed. Solskjær does not seem to possess any of the required levels, but rather a wave of confidence and positivity.
