Premier League 2018-19: 7 reasons why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must become the full-time manager of Manchester United

2. Former youth side manager

Manchester United Training

Solskjaer was the full-time manager of the Manchester United Reserves from 2008 to 2011. During the period, some of the first-team regulars we see today, such as Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard, played under him.

Having a great pre-established rapport with them has benefited the club massively, as is obvious from the mood in the camp. A new manager has to build relationships with key players afresh; that is not always easy, as Mourinho's stint proved. The benefits of the understanding developed during his reserves stint are visible now, with the players looking to give their all in every match.

Familiarity with the academy also ensures that Solskjaer will continue the tradition of developing and introducing academy products to the first team. There has always been an academy product in every United starting line-up for a long time. These traditions seem to be in safe hands under Solskjaer.

3. Experience with Molde

Valerenga Fotball v Molde FK - Norwegian Tippeligaen

In 2011, Solskjaer joined the Norwegian club Molde as its full-time manager, a team he had formerly played with. That year, Molde, for the first time in its history, won the Tippeligaen. Solskjaer then repeated the achievement the following year, successfully defending the title in 2012.

It is rare for any manager to win the league in his debut season as a manager, that too with a club which hasn't done it earlier. His stint at Molde shows that Solskjaer has the right instincts and understanding of the game at a very fundamental level. His tactics and selections are excellent, and he is capable of overcoming great challenges.

Critics will point to his subsequent failures with Cardiff. But those in no way undermine the fact that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is as good a manager as the striker he was.