Testing Time For Solksjaer

 

 


 

https://trainingground.guru/staff-profiles/manchester-united-staff-profiles 

Manchester United are on high now after the Leeds United win, Solksjaer can take pride in that win and the fact Pogba was not chosen for the game says a lot. In that game Pogba would have slowed MU down and that could have even contributed to a Leeds win, such is the the way Bielsa has positioned Leeds United any slight tweaks can make a difference. Despite losing 6-2, Leeds' psychology was still very much intact with high positive charge of all out attacking play during the match.

 

MU will now play Leicester in a top of the table clash, after that they will play Wolves, Aston Villa and Liverpool. We have been here before with Solksjaer, after the high of a couple of wins, just when entering peak phase, the rope snaps and like mountain climbers they fall only to be saved half-way through the fall by a mate (In this case Bruno Fernandes) and safety ropes and they begin to climb again. This has been the pattern of Solksjaer's reign, to be fair United do have a game in hand, but this is where United must make it count, championship teams do that. If United can take 8-9 points from the four games, all is not lost, a full 12 is a tall ask, but a loss against Leicester will not do well for morale (for players and fans) going ahead in the other games. 

Solksjaer might still not be the right man for United, but if United do go three seasons during his reign  without winning a trophy, United still have to thank him for his focus on development. He was at the academy during Sir Alex Ferguson's time, he is a great academy coach and perhaps that is where he should have been at, a master tactician he is not and this has been proven with the schizophrenic performance of them in the Champions League where they have been knocked out.  


Unlike Moyes Solksjaer has decided to retain the same back room staff and bring out some from the"basement" such as Mark Dempsey. Solksjaer has brought fresh insight with data analysis  brought back- some stability to the team, though the all out British approach might be downfall. Could United get better personnel (Talent from Portugal, Spain or Germany?) on merit who are better? 


The most interesting position is of David Horrocks, who has a Phd in psychology and is tasked with bringing in best practices from other sports, Solksjaer has another year to go on his contract and on January 7th 2021 he will face Manchester City in a EFL Cup two legged semi-final that he must win to show progress after missing out on three semi-finals last season.

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