5 Manchester United players who have improved the most under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Ever since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over the reins at Old Trafford, Manchester United have looked like an entirely different team. In fact, it is almost hard to believe that this was the same set of players that had been lackluster under Jose Mourinho, the same team that had conceded as many goals as they had scored, and the same team that had struggled to score the first goal in most of the games.

The Norwegian has freshened up the air at his former club and he has them playing in a style similar to the United team that he had been an integral part of as a player.

Manchester United have now won 4 games in a row for the first time this season and have scored 14 goals and conceded just 3 in that time. Most importantly, since Solskjaer's appointment, they have registered 60 shots, 34 of which have been on target! Old Trafford has been buzzing with excitement, basking in the extravagant football on display and there's an air of positivity all around.

The month of January has brought with it speculation and rumour of potential transfers, however, United already look like a far better side, thanks to the huge impact Solskjaer has had on the players at his disposal.

Almost every member of his team has been influenced by his management, and these players have bettered themselves under the guidance of the Norwegian. However, there are 5 players who have vastly improved themselves every since Solskjaer has taken over as the caretaker manager.

The Norwegian seems to understand the requirements of these men and he has unshackled them and set them free to enjoy their football. Today, we take a look at the 5 players who have improved the most under Solskjaer.

#5 Romelu Lukaku

The Belgian has been the butt of the jokes of fans and opposition alike this season, due to his poor first touch, tendency to miss easy chances and bad run of form. Mourinho's usage of the Belgian had not helped him either, as Lukaku mostly looked isolated and lost in the opposition half, because the Portuguese liked to station his team deep. He had scored just 6 goals in 16 games under the Portuguese this season.

With the arrival of Solskjaer though, the tides have turned. Lukaku was on compassionate leave for the first two games since the arrival of his new boss, but has now come off the bench twice to score a goal in each of those game.

He has looked sharp, fitter and now has the support of the free flowing tactics of his new manager. It is only a matter of time before he starts leading the line again and knocks the opposition defences off with his speed and power.

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#4 Nemanja Matic

After a stellar first season, the Serbian seemed to have slowed down this time. He looked off the pace in almost every game under Mourinho this time, and struggled against far lesser opponents. He had been so poor at times that even his continued selection was not justified, however, it now seems that maybe it was not just the player, but the style of play that had been the crux of the problem.

Solskjaer continued with Matic in his team, a selection that raised a few eyebrows in the first game. In a refreshing change, the Serbian was an assured presence against Cardiff, as United got back to winning ways and goal scoring form.

Matic was decent in the middle, but it was only the dawn of better days ahead. The Serbian has improved with every game and as his confidence returned, so did his wide range of passing. Against Bournemouth, Matic was exceptional and his vision was a treat to watch.

Having the assured presence of Herrera alongside him has certainly helped, but the Serbian has improved a lot under Solskjaer, and in turn, Matic has made United better.

#3 Victor Lindelof

Newcastle United v Manchester United - Premier League

The Swedish defender had a forgettable first season, where he struggled to come to terms with the rigours of the Premier League. After a strong outing in the summer with his country in the World Cup, the "Ice Man" returned to Old Trafford with much-needed experience and maturity. However, even though his performances were better, Lindelof still looked nervy at times and was a part of a defence that let in a plethora of goals in the 17 games under Mourinho.

The defence had been the bane of Manchester United and while defensive reinforcements are a necessity now, Lindelof has turned a new leaf ever since Solskjaer took over the proceedings at Old Trafford. The defender has been a regular feature under his new manager and has gone from strength to strength in the last 4 games.

Lindelof has thrived under Solskjaer's tactics, which builds on his strengths and emphasizes his abilities. Indeed, the Swede has been comfortable on the ball, has regularly joined in attack and even set up a goal in that time. Against Newcastle, Lindelof was stellar in defence and showed a new physical side to his game that finally got Solskjaer his much desired clean sheet. The Norwegian will be quietly confident that the man he trusts the most in the defence will only get better now.

#2 Marcus Rashford

He was fast, he was powerful, and yet, he was underused. He was forced to play a defensive game that almost ruined his abilities, but Marcus Rashford showed the world that with the right kind of trust from an understanding manager, he could turn into one of the deadliest strikers in the world.

The English youngster has got back his lethal side under Solskjaer and has been one of the men who has started every game under the Norwegian. Rashford has been brilliant in the last 4 games, a span which saw him score 3 goals and also register one assist. With every passing game, his abilities seem to enhance, his skill set are expanded and his confidence keeps growing.

And this is something that will delight every Manchester United fan in the world, because they can see the signs of another teenage sensation growing through the ranks again.

Rashford, in the last 4 games, showed a hunger and desire that was largely missing before. In truth, he had just been held back and Solskjaer unleashed him to the world. His improvement under his new manager gives hope that Manchester United could actually turn their season around now.

#1 Paul Pogba

Perhaps the greatest comeback story of the season belongs to Paul Pogba. The Frenchman had started the season well, but had drifted away from the action due to poor form and a rumoured player-manager rift.

His desire was questioned and there was even talk that he was the one holding this United team back. In the last days of the Mourinho reign, Pogba was the scapegoat and it seemed that the United team played better without him. It was only when Solskjaer walked in a reinstated Pogba into the team, abet with all the attacking license, that the world realized how influential the Frenchman could be.

After managing just 3 goals and 3 assists in the Premier League under Mourinho this season, the Frenchman has been a revelation after Solskjaer's arrival. He has 4 goals and 3 assists from the 4 games played under the Norwegian's reign so far and has looked like a beast that can break even the meanest of defenses.

Pogba's recent run of form means that he is the player that has improved the most under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He has also proved that the Norwegian was correct in building his team around the Frenchman.

Edited by Nishant Jayaram