Premier League 2018-19: Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, revitalised Manchester United gun for glory with a smile

Gone are the days of moaning, groaning and negativity. Gone are the days where the Manchester United players could not play a simple five-yard pass. Gone are the days where there was very little expectation of attacking Football.

The smiles are back. The mood is buoyant and the football that is supposed to be played is there for all to see. The man responsible for the remarkable turnaround? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Manchester United executives went back to the drawing board and brought in someone who knew the club, imbued with calm and progressive football.

Manchester United surprised everyone when Solsjkaer was their appointment to steady the ship, post a tumultuous start to the season under Jose Mourinho.

Now that appointment looks like a genius move; that move in chess which makes the player say "Check mate". Given Solsjkaer's track record at Cardiff, fans were apprehensive about how were would perform as the caretaker boss in the beginning. Nine wins out of 10 is not a bad beginning (it's VERY good) and barring the team selection against Burnley, Solsjkaer has not put a foot wrong. It is indeed refreshing to see Solskjaer's approach in press conferences.

He sings the praises of players, talks about improvements, respects the opponents and most importantly, knows what it takes play for a club like Manchester United. Having been at the club for 15 years under the tutelage of the great Sir Alex Ferguson, it is very evident that he wants to translate all those teachings on the pitch but through his version of football.

It is easy to pinpoint all the shortcomings of a manager or the player only by looking at the television. Solskjaer has ensured that people have only the positives to talk about and has even managed to bring back the longing to see Manchester United play again. People now ask "When do we play next? I cant wait". That is a refreshing change from the tediousness and the general dour mood that surrounded the club when the Portuguese was at the helm.

Mourinho is a certified winner, but sometimes, it becomes all too evident that his ability to manage the people, separate the player from the person, leaves a lot to be desired.

Tactics may win games, but the ability to get the best out of players to play a certain way can fill a trophy cabinet. Solskjaer has demonstrated fantastic man management capabilities. He has brought the best out of a certain Paul Pogba who, not long ago could not manage a simple five-yard pass against some of the lesser teams.

Paul Pogba is loving life as a Manchester United player, again!

Paul Pogba is loving his football again.

Marcus Rashford cannot stop scoring. Victor Lindelof is now trusted to be the first choice centre-back. Nemanja Matic looks like a player reborn.

Defenders are now urged to join set plays and it is starting to bear fruit (Lindelof scoring at Burnley to snatch a point). The transition from defence to attack is quick and devastating The counter-attacking goals against Arsenal in the FA Cup were reminiscent of the type of goals scored at the Emirates under Sir Alex Ferguson. The combination play between Pogba and Rashford is breathtaking, to say the least.

The football under Mourinho now appears to be a distant memory. With Solskjaer at the helm, he has restored the identity of the club.

Solskjaer is impressing everyone around the world with his charm and his approach to the game. When asked about the team scoring 5 goals for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson's last game in charge, Solskjaer promptly replied, "Since Mike Phelan's last game." Such is the respect that is shown by Solskjaer towards the coaches.

In one of the post match pressers, Luke Shaw, one of the club's standout performers this season, barged in while Solskjaer was speaking. He could have snapped. He could have said, "Luke sits on the bench next match for not having any ethics", a la someone else . Instead, he smiled and said "Come on in son! We are almost done."

A real find!

Over the seasons gone by, the fear factor at Old Trafford has all but disappeared and United have looked fairly innocuous which has resulted in some of the smaller teams taking away points from the Theatre of Dreams. Teams have come, beaten United and celebrated. Within a month of taking charge, the baby-faced Norwegian has instilled confidence in the players, drenched the atmosphere with a never-say-die, positive attitude. The players want to play for him.

Contracts extensions are flying out to all those who deserve it. There is a marked change in the way United play. He is taking it one game at a time. The players and the coaching staff are taking it one win at a time.

Immediately after the Leicester game, Mike Phelan and Solskjaer were off to France to see PSG in action, with that massive Champions League Round of 16 tie looming on the horizon. It's these simple things which show that he cares about every competition that Manchester United compete in; every trophy that Manchester United fight for.

Managing a club like Molde is different but what brings success is good efficient management. From Manchester United Reserves to spells at Molde to getting relegated with Cardiff to breaking records at the club he adores and at the very club which adores him. Solskjaer has come a long way, smiling at every step of the way. After years of disappointment post the departure of the legendary Ferguson, Manchester United just want to enjoy the ride while the club is flying high.

Ole's at the wheel! Tell me how good does it feel?