Manchester United deliver in Europe: Ole’s At The Wheel

Manchester United’s impressive run continues under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The 3-1 victory in Paris makes it harder for the United board to look elsewhere for their new long-term manager. For now, the Old Trafford faithful can enjoy the feel-good factor.

Ole’s At The Wheel

Le Parc des Princes, Wednesday 06 March 2019. All eyes are on Paris St Germain’s fixture with Manchester United. The French champions have a two-goal advantage, few are giving United a chance of advancing to the next round of the Champions League.

England Thursday 07 March 2019. United’s remarkable 3-1 victory, a result that sends them into the quarter-finals of Europe’s most coveted club prize dominated the morning’s sports headlines.

The atmosphere around Manchester United is a million miles away from mid-December, when Jose Mourinho was in charge. So what’s changed? It’s simple – Solskjaer’s character, leadership style and synergy with the fans have generated a feel-good factor that has been absent from Old Trafford for a long time. United fans will continue to chant Ole’s at the wheel for the remainder of the season. Progress is being made on the pitch, that’s what fans want to see.

Solskjaer’s enthusiasm is infectious. Neutrals up and down the country are noting what the former United striker is doing, and how he is going about his business. Listen to Solskjaer’s press conferences carefully, he talks with passion and simplicity, there aren’t any excuses, it’s just football. Head coaches worldwide can learn a lot from the way United’s interim manager carries himself with the media. Not that long ago that fans had to endure the dulcet tones of Louis van Gaal.

https://twitter.com/GNev2/status/1103427239838957568

United fans will have to wait to find out who they will face in the Champions League quarterfinal. The big names are still in the competition, imagine the scenes if United were to draw Liverpool, over to you Mr Klopp. The quarter-final, semi-final and final draws all take place on Friday 15 March.

United turn their attention back to the English Top Flight and an important away game at Arsenal on Sunday. A win could take the Red Devils level on points with Tottenham Hotspur. United’s season is looking a lot better than it did at the end of 2018.

Ole’s at the wheel, for now, he spoke to the media brimming with confidence after United’s win in Paris. There was also plenty of Champions League Reaction to United’s win in midweek.

"We always believe, that’s the thing. We set out the plan. It wasn’t about having the ball and outplaying them. If give this team too much space and time, with Mbappe, we saw a few times in the first half when we missed our defensive shape and they were through us straight away. The plan was to get the first goal and be in the game with five or 10 minutes to go and we were. The belief in the boys was just what we hoped for. Of course, there was a great start. We set out a plan to get the first goal. We didn’t expect it after two minutes, but that made it more open for us. We wanted many goals in the game (via manutd.com)."

In his post-match interview, Luke Shaw backed Solskjaer to become United full-time manager.

"We’re enjoying everything that’s going on at the moment and the results have shown that. We’ve had a couple of blips but that’s nine away matches [won in a row] now, they’re not easy games, but it shows what sort of job Ole and his staff have done. Long may that continue (via espn.co.uk)."

Barney Roney, writing for the Guardian explains why the United board should appoint ‘Ole’.

"We have now reached the stage where not to offer Solskjær the full-time United job would be an act of sporting self-harm. Everyone loves Ole. And with good reason, too. He is very lovable. Not to mention disarmingly sharp in his selections and tactical tweaks (via guardian.com)."

The United twitter handle sums up the current mood at the club. The intense media attention has moved away from Old Trafford in recent years, migrating across the city to their neighbours at the Etihad. Another impressive United performance on Sunday will get tongues wagging once more. United will continue to improve under Solskjaer, the board shouldn’t be dithering about. Appoint him!