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#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.
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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.
