3 challenges awaiting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United

Manchester United named former club legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as their caretaker manager till the end of the season after sacking Jose Mourinho earlier this week.

The Norwegian "Babyface Assassin" will take charge of his first game with the Red Devils on Saturday, away to Cardiff City. United have deteriorated over the last year and a half, and find themselves languishing at a lowly sixth position on the Premier League table.

It is not going to be easy for Solskjaer when he turns up at Old Trafford, as the European giants lack confidence. Here are three challenges awaiting him during his time at Manchester United.

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#1 Unlocking the potential of Paul Pogba

Mourinho was blamed for not allowing Pogba enough freedom to express himself

Much has been written and said about the French World-Cup winner and Jose Mourinho's off-field feud, but it is the former's worrisome performances for United since he signed in 2016 which have given fans nightmares.

Mourinho was blamed for not allowing Pogba enough freedom to express himself in the attacking third, tying him down to defensive duties. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to establish a good rapport with Pogba first, and then give him the chance to enjoy his football.

Pogba is one of the few world-class players United have at the moment, alongside David de Gea & Alexis Sanchez, so he must be allowed to enjoy his football and express himself positively.

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#2 Building a strong defence

Solskjaer's first duties would be to establish a line of defence

For all of Jose Mourinho's reputation as being a sound defensive-minded manager, he failed to establish a solid defensive line at Old Trafford. He could not get the best out of Victor Lindelof, and had no faith in the much-hyped Eric Bailly.

Solskjaer's first duties would be to establish a line of defence that cannot be breached by all and sundry.

United have maintained just two clean sheets this season, and that needs to change if they are keen on winning games.

#3 Building team chemistry

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to underline how important it is to play as a cohesive unit

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's next challenge will be to build a sound cohesive unit. At times it certainly has appeared like the Man Utd team have played like a bunch of individuals, and had no idea how to link-up play.

The Babyface Assassin needs to underline how important it is to play as a unit, and only then can the Red Devils make the best use of their abilities, and as a result end up winning games more often than not.