Man United: Bournemouth victory perfect evidence of the progress made under Solskjaer
Ole and United worked hard to find the right profile to fit the club. A little made a load of difference.
Finding the right profile to recruit during the summer was a challenge as the club managed only three signings out of the presumed target of five. But, the club refrained from pressing the panic button, and the summer arrivals, Daniel James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Harry Maguire, have all took the club forward.
Despite being short of players after a prominent sale, Solskjaer decided against buying players who could destabilise the harmony of other players. There was no personal motive but only the welfare of the club.
To protect himself, Solskajer could well have gone for established figures who could guarantee decent output. Yet, the former player understood the importance of building a strong foundation, something that could have easily cost him the job.
All through the season, Man United, credit to their enhanced fitness levels, have been equal to their oppositions in terms of intensity and work-rate. But, untimely injuries have hampered the progress of the whole unit due to lack of optimum cohesive training sessions.
Before Fernandes’ arrival, Red Devils were only potent while undergoing rapid transitions or counter-attacks. Now, with the Portuguese playmaker alongside Paul Pogba, United are not short of creating supply channels to their mobile forwards Martial, Rashford, and Greenwood.
Today's front three have been putting up some 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 numbers in 2019/20 🤯#MUFC pic.twitter.com/kg6vyJSB1S
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 4, 2020
Replacing Romelu Lukaku with another out-and-out striker might have ensured that United are better placed in the league. However, Solskjaer’s insistence of building pacy and powerful attacks with fluid attackers is starting to bear fruit.
At the same time, we should not sideline the impact Odion Ighalo has made since he arrived from China in January. Providing optimum cover to regulars, the Nigerian has contributed with important goals in the Europa League and FA Cup. Being a childhood Man United supporter, the 31-year-old fits perfectly to Solskjaer’s ethos.