December 1, 2023
Solskjær

It has been some six years since Sir Alex bid adieu to Manchester United. He left a winner, with a project spanning two and a half decades culminating at the top of British football. In the six years since, United have fumbled like a man in the dark, experimenting with different managers. None of them really seemed to understand the way United operate, and just how special a football club it is. Nor was the recruitment off the pitch focused and driven towards a definite goal, it seemed scatter gun and off the cuff.

However, the last three months have seen United revitalized on the pitch, playing with an unabashed swagger that has been missing for a long time. The club seems to be alive and fresh with hope and belief. The man responsible for all this, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has just been announced as United’s full-time manager for the next three years. But while news media is abuzz with talk of players United could look to sign, one must not forget that they still have a lot to play for this season. They have a Champions League date with Barcelona to look forward to and have to go full steam ahead to secure the top four finish they crave in the league. Here, we analyse the month ahead for United, and the trip they will take with Ole at the Wheel.

As Solskjær described it, United play the ‘best of the rest’ in their coming two fixtures in the league, against Watford at home and Wolves away. While United should return to winning ways after their recent blips against Wolves, the fixture at the Molineux will be a test of United’s mental reserves and bottle. Fielding close to a full strength team, United were blown away by Wolves in the FA Cup tie between the pair and will need to show a lot more cohesion in their play to overcome the threat Wolves pose. The fixture at the Molineux could be a massive three points for United if they can secure them.

Then, the proverbial mountain beckons, with the first leg of their European Quarter Final against Barcelona. United will have a week to prepare for the Catalans, as they do not play the weekend following this one domestically. United’s squad have not really experienced such huge European ties, and this is a first for the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford. That lack of experience might just play into Barcelona’s hands, although United’s belief will be sky high after their exploits in Paris. Sandwiched in between the home and away legs is a home fixture to West Ham. United will be odds on to win that game, but  Solskjær might have to ring the changes after what is sure to have been an energy-sapping, mentally draining affair against Barcelona.

Solskjær
via Goal.com

United close the month with three challenging fixtures, away at Everton, followed by a sequence at home against perennial rivals Chelsea and Manchester City. The latter two games are both likely to be massive six-pointers. United will have to beat Chelsea in the race for the top four, and cannot lose to City like they habitually have in the post-Sir Alex era. There has been a lot of talk that a United win against City might help a Liverpudlian title bid, but United cannot afford to worry or think of all that.

Their sole prerogative must be to earn a top-four spot. Barring the results at the Molineux and Emirates recently, United’s players have actually enjoyed their travels more than the fixtures at home. Old Trafford’s support is famous, but it can also breed nervousness in players when games do not go to plan. It is essential that the coaching staff, fans and players are all reading off the same hymn sheet in the games against Chelsea and City.

All said and done, United have a terrific squad of talented players. The likes of Romelu Lukaku, Rashford, Martial and Jesse Lingard, all doubts during the international break, could feature against Watford. With Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera already restored to their starting roles, United look in good health. They will need players to stay fit over this next phase and will hope that their injury travails are at an end. The challenge for Solskjær is to get United into the top four for the start of next season.

He cannot be faulted if he fails, he has already done a marvellous job of reinvigorating a club that seemed dead and buried. But if he succeeds, he will have truly worked a miracle. He will have climbed a mountain and planted his flag there. That Manchester United are a force alive and well and intend to scale greater heights in the three seasons ahead, his shining reign.


David De Gea – Old Trafford’s Eagle-Eyed Guardian

When you ask a Manchester United fan why they love their club, most might reply, they’ve always stood for playing thrilling football with a certain unabashed swagger. But at the same time, they’ve had great moments of courage and standing defiantly in the face of adversity. United have had some of

Mourinho At Manchester United – Where Did It All Go Wrong For The Special One?

mourinho

Manchester United, a brand synonymous with winning. Jose Mourinho, the biggest winning coach in the sport. When the pair was combined, everyone in world football seemed to sit up and take notice. United, a club whose supporters proclaim proudly they’re ‘Not Arrogant, Just Better’. That seems like the title Mourinho

The Men In Contention To Replace Mourinho – Howe, Zidane, Jardim & Pochettino

howe

In May 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson implored an emotional Stretford End to ‘stand by your new manager’. United fans duly complied, roaring on David Moyes to make a good fist of world football’s toughest job. ‘The Chosen One’, as a huge banner across the Stretford End proclaimed Moyes to be,

Dimitar Berbatov – A Touch Of Perfection From Blagoevgrad

berbatov

Certain moments in football lend themselves to immortality on highlight reels when they occur. At Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, those instances were never too far away. Even so, this piece of play remains fresh in the head. In late October 2008, West Ham arrived at Old Trafford to

Anthony Martial – The French Sensation On A Roller-Coaster Ride

bayern transfer target martial

There seemed an air of unease around Old Trafford. Christian Benteke had just crashed Liverpool back into contention at Old Trafford with a superb bicycle kick. With the score at 2-1, United manager Louis van Gaal brought on new signing Anthony Martial, whom the English media had welcomed with their

The Impact Of Nutrition And Medical Intervention In Modern Football

football

Football is a sport defined by enthralling moments of spontaneous magic. But beyond the cloak of stellar play and drama, lies extensive and thorough preparation. Football at the highest level is as much a game in the head as with the feet. Hours of training, gym work, video analysis, simulated

Breaking Down United’s Implosion Against Spurs

As the final whistle blew, it seemed all too much for Jose Mourinho. Professional sport is a brutal environment, filled with pressures and expectations and much of the talk regarding its sheer toughness is attributed to solo arts.  Tennis is a fine example of this, from a mental perspective because

Did you like this article?

Yes No
×

How can we improve it?

×

We appreciate your helpul feedback!

Your answer will be used to improve our content. The more feedback you give us, the better our articles can be.

Follow us on social media:

Facebook Pinterest
Spread the love