Time for Solskjaer to work miracles… again
Manchester United confirmed this morning that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been appointed manager of the club on a permanent basis. When he first came in December, the thought of this happening seemed impossible. Solskjaer has talked for years about how this job is his dream job, but no one ever really expected it to happen so early in to his career, if at all.
After the work he’s done over the past few months, supported by the likes of Mike Phelan, Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick, it’s hard to argue with the decision.
While I’m happy he’s got the job, part of me had wanted the club to sit tight until the end of the season. What’s been happening has, largely, been working really well. Why risk rocking the boat or changing the dynamic by making the announcement now? Had United waited until the end of the season, to see how United faired in the Champions League and where the club finished, they would be able to make a more informed decision over whether Solskjaer is the most suitable candidate long-term.
However, with key players on contracts that are expiring, it makes sense to have the manager’s future confirmed. Who is going to commit to a club when they don’t know who will be coaching them next season? In terms of planning for the future and securing new signings, it also is a logical step to have the manager in place.
Congrats boss pic.twitter.com/GCyOQN5Ioe
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) March 28, 2019
Jose Mourinho claimed it would take a miracle for United to finish in the top four. We were 11 points behind fourth placed Chelsea when Solskjaer was appointed, and 13 games later we’re a point clear of them.
We still two points behind Arsenal though and have eight games to remedy that. We’ve had a blip in our most recent games, losing to Emery’s side as well as getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Wolves.
But if United continue to pick up points at the rate they have been doing under Solskjaer, we should be able to secure Champions League football next season.
Our manager has been responsible for what felt like miraculous events before now. From his injury time winner at the Nou Camp in 1999 to making United the first team in European Cup history to come back from a 2-0 home defeat to progress to the next round.
Now it’s on to the next miracle and securing a finish in the top four.