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To say that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is beginning to feel the heat at Old Trafford is an understatement. The Norwegian is under immense pressure to secure a top-four finish before the end of the season, with just four games remaining. However, it is easier said than done, especially since United face Manchester City and Chelsea in a space of 5 days and Manchester United's recent form has been extremely poor.
Even before Everton humiliated them at Goodison Park, Manchester United had lost the early intensity that had arrived with Solskjaer. The players had begun to look jaded in the past month since that PSG win. Perhaps there was a bit of overconfidence as well, and it has hurt Solskjaer's chances to build a solid foundation for the next season.
Also Read: 3 Reasons why the Red Devils can still make the top four
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Only a top-four finish can allow United to attract world-class talents in the summer. Without proper reinforcements, it will be very hard for Manchester United to compete with the best teams in Europe next season. And this is why it is absolutely pivotal that Solskjaer gets Manchester United firing on all cylinders again.
Today we take a look at the 5 things that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must do to get Manchester United back to winning ways.
#5 Play his best players at their natural positions
Solskjaer has been guilty of shuffling his players out of their natural positions in recent games. One of the most glaring decisions has been playing Victor Lindelof as the right back. In the games against Barcelona and Everton, Solskjaer opted for a centre-back pairing of Jones and Smalling, with Lindelof as the right back. The Swede has arguably been United's best defender this season and has been stellar at the centre of the defence. It was a decision that backfired because United found no width in the flanks and looked vulnerable in defence.
It is true that Solskjaer had his hands tied with injuries and suspensions, but the Norwegian should refrain from compromising the positions and playing styles of his best players. Dalot at left back, Shaw as a part of the back three are other examples where Solskjaer experimented and learnt a lesson.
If United are to secure a top-four spot, the Norwegian has to play his best players at their natural positions for the next four games.
#4 Be ruthless in team selection
During the earlier games, when everything was going right, Solskjaer brought a sense of consistency in his team selection. He played a common set of players and even his substitutions were spot on. Solskjaer used his squad well and even managed to rest his key players by shuffling his team.
However, too many players have been poor of late and this is where the Norwegian needs to take a stand. The under-performers cannot be allowed to pull the team back; Solskjaer needs to be ruthless in his team selection now. It is necessary to show everyone that names do not guarantee automatic selection right now. Just as Sanchez has been dropped down the pecking order, it is time to put a few more men in their place.
Ashley Young has been one of the worst performers in the team of late, but he is not the only one. Jesse Lingard has been another player who does not deserve to start games any more. Solskjaer now has to forget the names on the back of the shirt and instead relegate under-performing players to the bench. These four games could determine Solskjaer entire managerial career at Old Trafford and the Norwegian needs to be absolutely spot on in his team selection now.
#3 Demand better work ethics
Solskjaer, in his post-match press conference after the Everton defeat, already highlighted United's poor work ethics on the field as one of the reasons for the loss. In truth, United have looked tired and slow on the field of late and it has been one of the reasons for their dismal run.
One of the main changes the Norwegian made to the United team was to increase the intensity on the field. Solskjaer's boys fought for every ball and closed down every gap that came up in the midfield. The opposition had a tough time coping up with United's work ethics and it was one of the main reasons why United were on the rise at the start of the year.
However, that intensity has died out of late. The work ethics are gone and players are beginning to look extremely slow on the field. And this is where Solskjaer has to prove his worth. It is important that United rediscover their pressing football immediately and the Norwegian has to help his team replicate the attitude of the United teams of old.
Off the ball pressing and closing down in the midfield will be key to United returning to winning ways in the next four games.
#2 Instill a sense of urgency
After Manchester United appointed Solskjaer as Jose Mourinho's replacement, the Norwegian immediately brought a refreshing change to United's playing style. United were ambitious, alert and showed a lot of desire on the field. Their counter-attacking style of play caught the eye and brushed the opposition aside at will.
There was a sense of urgency in United's approach, there was hunger in their play. The Red Devils were not satisfied with a goal, they wanted more. They used fast and swift movement of the ball to gain ground on the opposition and scored goals at will. It is the absence of this urgency in their game that has hurt United the most.
The build-up play of late has been slow, as have been the balls from the deep. The switching of play through the wings has not been impressive, neither has the counter-attacking been swift. Solskjaer needs to delve deep and reinstate a sense of urgency in his men on the field. There's still everything to fight for and with the correct attitude, United still stand a chance of finishing in the top 4.
#1 Get his players confident again
How is it that Paul Pogba's creativity has suddenly diminished? Why is it that Marcus Rashford does not fill the opposition hearts with fear of late? Why has Anthony Martial been ineffective? How is it that David de Gea is committing uncharacteristic errors?
The answer is a lack of confidence. For whatsoever reason, United have lost their confidence on the field and in front of goal. There have been miss-passes galore and the counter-attacks have been largely ineffective. It is strange how there can be such a stark difference in the same set of players within a matter of weeks, but lack of confidence can affect the best of teams and United are no exceptions.
There has also been a lack of leaders on the pitch and perhaps this is where the Red Devils miss a character like Ander Herrera. With the Spaniard yet to recover from injury, United need someone else to step up and take responsibility in the midfield.
The Norwegian, as such, needs to inspire his team and get them charged up again. He has to get them believing in themselves again. He has to help them rise from the ashes and instigate one final charge for the top four place. With the right injection of confidence, United might actually achieve the impossible under Solskjaer again.
