5 Reasons why Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has been able to overturn Manchester United's fortunes

#4 Freedom with responsibility

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Premier League

In the Premier League this season, Manchester United have averaged 1.7 goals per game under Jose Mourinho and 3 goals per game Ole Gunnar Solskjaer so far.

Even though the sample set for Solksjaer is almost one-third of that of Mourinho, the near doubling of average goals scored per games increases the team's chances of winning any given day.

The below table shows that except for 2001/02 season, every season in which United has averaged more than 2 goals per game in a season, they have had a top two finish pretty much guaranteed.

Average goals scored per season by Man United -- source EPL official website

One of the most important reasons for this transformation under Solksjaer has been his 'Freedom with responsibility' philosophy.

He has, in what seems like, unlocked the shackles off of all his players especially the most creative attacking players like Pogba (4 goals & 4 assists in 5 games) and the trio of Rashford, Martial and Lingard (7 goals and 4 assists in 5 games).

While they have been given the freedom to be creative and play fast-paced attacking football, they have also been given the responsibilities to come and defend when the possession is lost.

Pogba can be seen in his own box almost always when the opponents are attacking. Martial and Rashford cover the full backs well when under attack.

In the game with Tottenham, unlike the Spurs full-backs who were constantly pressing up which eventually led to the goal, United's full-backs were attacking cautiously.

Additionally, Solksjaer has shown his continued trust in Ander Herrera. Herrera had been a constant performer under Mourinho but seldom got the recognition he deserved.

With four starts in five games in the Premier League under Solskjaer, he has been like a solid rock sitting on top of the defense.