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Manchester United are not where they would ideally want to be just yet but there is no doubt that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has improved the side. The Red Devils had hit one of their lowest points when Jose Mourinho was sacked back in December 2018.
The team was playing dull, defensive football and the Stretford End was certainly having none of it. In came Ole Gunnar Solskjaer like a breath of fresh air and even though there were apprehensions about his credentials initially, the club legend has proven to be the right man to take the club forward.
Solskjaer understands the club and the fans at a deeper level than any of the managers who have taken up the mantle in the post-Ferguson era. Without further ado, let's take a look at the five biggest changes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made at Manchester United.
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#5 Manchester United have benefitted from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's world-class man management
Under Jose Mourinho, it was evident that the team's chemistry was on a downward slide. Jose Mourinho kept falling out with his players and even threw a few under the bus when the going got tough. Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw bore the brunt of much of it and to make matters worse, United did not have any leaders on their side.
When it comes to management, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seems to have taken a leaf out of Sir Alex Ferguson's book. If a player needs a pat on the back or an arm around his shoulder, the Norwegian would be there to afford the right amount of care and concern.
Despite all the fuss that Mino Raiola has cooked up regarding Pogba's future, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has separated that from the player and has managed to bring out the best in the Frenchman. He has also transformed Luke Shaw into one of the best full-backs in the Premier League after the player was heavily criticized by Jose Mourinho.
Harry Maguire and Mason Greenwood were both pulled into controversies at the start of the season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backed them both and though Greenwood took some time to gather his bearings after last summer's events and the death of a close friend, he has hit his stride once again.
Solskjaer has played a huge role in Edinson Cavani deciding to extend his stay at Manchester United. The Manchester United manager has not felt the need to throw a single player under the bus so far, which is quite a departure from what the Old Trafford faithful had got used to seeing under Mourinho.
#4 Greater defensive solidity
In the 2019-20 season, the focus was on Manchester United settling down at the back. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought in the right players and also improved the existing ones to help the team shore up at the back.
In his first full season as Manchester United manager, Solskjaer oversaw his side keeping the third best defensive record in the league. Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, despite their shortcomings, proved to be good at keeping the opposition at bay.
Their defensive record has not been that great this season but it's still a major improvement on what we saw during the 2018-19 season. Additionally, Maguire and Lindelof have become crucial to Manchester United's style of play.
Maguire often provides the thrust from the back as he drives ahead with the ball. He sprays passes through the lines while Lindelof has become adept at floating long balls into the path of the forwards.
#3 Focus on youth
Manchester United's youth system is one of the best in the world. They've consistently produced world-class players and continue to do so. Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, there is a renewed focus on youth in terms of recruitment and development.
The manner in which Solskjaer has integrated Greenwood into the starting XI deserves a lot of praise. Equally impressive has been his work with Rashford, Dean Henderson, Scott McTominay and Axel Tuanzebe, who have all now become bankable players in the squad.
Solskjaer signed teenagers Amad Diallo and Facundo Pellistri and has been overseeing their development. Amad has already featured multiple times for the senior side. Youngster Anthony Elanga was given a start against Leicester City last week.
The club have also made some big signings at youth level, including Marc Jurado from Barcelona and Alvaro Fernandez from Real Madrid last summer.
#2 Directness about the football they play
Manchester United were famous for playing direct, attacking football under Sir Alex Ferguson. The team would stitch some quick passes together and they never shied away from taking risks. This is something that was missing under David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.
But Solskjaer has opted to go the Ferguson way. With fans mesmerized by the training ground automations implemented by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, there was a call for Manchester United to adopt something similar which is quite a reductive argument in the first place. There's more than one way to play good football.
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa, who is seen as one of the best tacticians ever, lauded Solskjaer's approach recently. In April, he said:
"Simple football is the best football. It’s best when players are allowed to do what they are best at. Manchester United is an example of this. To play simple is very difficult. When you manage to achieve it, it is very satisfying."
Solskjaer has also proven to be tactically adept and got the better of almost all the good managers he has come across. He has been a thorn in the neck for Pep Guardiola in particular. The Manchester United gaffer has won four games and lost only three against Guardiola. He has also won all three of the away matches played at Etihad.
#1 Manchester United have made better signings under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Manchester United's recruitment under Solskjaer has been more or less spot on. He brought in Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who are arguably two of the best defenders in the Premier League. Daniel James has a long way to go but has been effective as a squad player this season.
Bruno Fernandes has been one of the best signings in the Premier League in recent times and the midfielder has been world-class ever since arriving at Old Trafford. He has won the Manchester United Player of the Year award in both the seasons he has been there.
Odion Ighalo initially provided adequate cover to Anthony Martial even though his contributions dwindled after his stay was extended. Amad Diallo has shown a lot of promise. Alex Telles' arrival has brought out the best in Luke Shaw and his signing is a good example of how competition within the team can improve players.
Edinson Cavani, who was initially written off as a panic buy, has been one of Manchester United's best players this season. Donny van de Beek was a bargain buy but he is perhaps the only blip on an otherwise clean transfer record under the Norwegian. The Dutchman has shown a lot of quality but it was always going to be a Herculean task to displace the likes of Pogba and Fernandes from the first team.
Even better, Solskjaer reportedly wanted to sign Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho before they became as high-profile as they have in recent times.
