Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has enjoyed a fruitful start to life as Manchester United caretaker manager, could the Norwegian have asked for anything more? Following the dismissal of Jose Mourinho, United have enjoyed a 100% winning streak with 6 wins in their last 6 games since Solskjaer’s arrived before Christmas, scoring 16 goals and only conceding three goals along the way.
More importantly, though, Solskjaer has restored the attacking prowess which we would delightfully associate with a Manchester United team, the vigour, the excitement and the squad harmony which was in ruin by Jose Mourinho’s negative demeanour and constant complaining. Lost, as the clubs philosophy may have seemed under the Portuguese coach, Manchester United in their recent displays seem to have their swagger back under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer which has led to many discussing whether the Norwegian may be handed the reins permanently.
Sunday’s hard-fought and inspired win over Tottenham was the clubs 6th in a row in all competitions. Certainly, the win was a far cry from their enthralling attacking displays in recent weeks but it was a performance which showed how far United have matured and become a force to be reckoned in such a short space of time. This is the sort of football the United faithful have been longing for ever since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013. David Moyes, Louis Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have all tried and failed to reignite the fire back at Old Trafford, and all three coaches all missed the one key component: the culture and traditions of the football club – a component Solskjaer has successfully ingrained throughout the whole club from the clubs staff to the players which is being reflected in the nature of United’s performances.
United’s attacking players – the likes of Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku have all been rejuvenated by Solskjaer’s inventive and innovative attacking style. Pressing from the front, intricate passing and free-flowing movement are characteristics that we should be regularly accustomed to when watching United play and Solskjaer has implemented those attributes successfully so far. Certainly, there is a lot to work on for the Norwegian coach, especially in defence and that goes without saying as United’s defending at times this season has not been pleasing on the eye, and as a result, it has led to the club being closely linked with whole host of centre-backs this month. However, the performance at Wembley has highlighted the amount of work that has been done behind the scenes to perfect the balance between defence and attack, and Rashford’s goal on Sunday was a mere reflection with Paul Pogba’s beautifully lofted pass picked up by Rashford who then coolly and stylishly beat Hugo Lloris at the far post. A goal truly reminiscent of the kind of counter-attacking manoeuvres Sir Alex Ferguson executed to perfection during his own glory days.
The midfield triumvirate of Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera and World Cup winner Paul Pogba is a perfectly combined mixture of creativity, strength and energy. Both Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba have added much in United’s rich blend of attacking displays so far under Solskjaer and has allowed the trio to fully complement each other when on the front foot.
One man who has been key to United’s success so far is Ander Herrera.
David De Gea may have gathered all the plaudits for his heroics at Wembley against Tottenham but Ander Herrera deserves as much praise as his fellow Spaniard putting in a dogged, disciplined and assured display as United were put under intense pressure for large parts of an intriguing spectacle. The Spaniard has been an awfully vital component in United’s resurgence under Solskjaer, having a tendency to control the midfield of the park with his intelligent positioning, passing and tenacity within a combative and fluid midfield. Herrera has become a huge fan favourite since signing under Louis Van Gaal in 2014. Ever since his arrival at Old Trafford, Herrera has performed with a certain edge and craftiness, performing with his heart on his sleeve – the reason why the United faithful have endeared themselves to the Spaniard.
Ander Herrera may have found himself on the fringes of Mourinho’s team on a number of occasions but when called upon, you knew he would put in 100%, and for the remainder of the season Herrera will be one of Solskjaer’s trusted lieutenants.The Spaniard may not be the quickest off the ground but his relentless approach, never say die attitude and application to each game is the reason why he is held in such high regard within the whole club, it makes you wonder why the Spaniard has not put pen to paper on a new contract with his current deal running out at the end of the current campaign.
Paul Pogba has certainly sprung to life under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with his world class displays attracting a whole host of attention – propelling the Frenchman greater heights racking up the numbers on the goals and assists charts. Pogba now has seven Premier League goals and seven assists to his name so far this season. While the Frenchman has been strutting his stuff further up the pitch, Ander Herrera has been lurking behind him like a shadow waiting to pounce on any loose balls. Ander Herrera is a bull-terrier, like a rash that just won’t go away ss Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli found out on Sunday.
Herrera put in a remarkable performance at Wembley, showcasing the complete midfield repertoire of a modern-day midfielder combining his calmness and assured nature on the ball along with his combativeness and tenacity without possession. More reason to justify why Mourinho’s £50million signing Fred has not been able to get a look in within the first 11 setup.
Not many players in the current era can match the type of enthusiasm and ‘heart on sleeve’ characteristics that Herrera shows on a weekly basis. A player that every manager would love to work with and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reaping those benefits, utilising the Spaniard to devastating effect. United will be facing many bigger tests in the coming weeks and Ander Herrera will be once again be a key component if United are to step away from those tests victorious. Herrera would be free to talk to any clubs now that his contract is out at the end of the season and there will definitely be no shortage of takers for Herrera’s signature. However, if recent sources are to be believed, United still remain in talks with Herrera and his representatives over a new contract.
If United are really wanting to sound out their appreciation for such a joyous player, then the club would be wise to offer Ander Herrera a new contract as soon as possible.
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