Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appointed Manchester United manager, why?

Embed from Getty Images

As Gary Neville predicted, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would during the international break get the permanent contract signed and that happened. Solskjaer has signed a three year deal and can prepare for life in one of the top jobs in football.

His tally of wins is phenomenal and to lose to Wolves in the FA Cup can be a great blessing in disguise. Manchester United might have failed in all three, going forward, but with only two competitions to compete in, it will be possible to get the rest needed to find the perfect end to the season.

He has given players freedom and showed that he trusts them in their choices on the field and of course a number of his wins especially away to Arsenal in the FA Cup and the fantastic achievement in Paris is enough to secure the job, and winning those games predicted for Manchester United to win makes them a clear candidate to finish top four which is probably most important.

Embed from Getty Images

The job is to really shape the squad and get the best players in. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has shown at Molde that he was capable of finding talent and bringing players forward, selling them, staying in the top and be competetive. Of course, as Man Utd, Molde was a team just like Man Utd, fighting in the top, despite having a few set backs, as Man Utd have experienced. “Ollie” managed to fix those problems and getting the ship back on track after a terrible start, so he can do this and has the quality to turning things around.

The key for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is getting the best of those he have and not be to eager to change too much, something very different to Norwegian football. In his first reign as manager of Molde, Solskjaer showed some of the same skills as he has done at Man Utd, taking Molde to the top, with no such previous experiences.

He has also pinpointed talent an brought them in and really being able to get this balance perfect and build new teams over and over. This is of course at a much lower leavel. The gap between Man Utd and Molde is huge, but the Norwegian club is a major club in Norway and has been in Europe and Solskjaer’s experience from that competition should not be faulted.

In Norwegian football you have much more rotation in squads and you must be able to bring in the right talent at the right time, something Solskjaer did in the best way possible, being able to balance the logistic of the squad and keeping the team in the top.

Of course if you look at previous people trying to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson, there are high expectations, but in a way with a legendary status as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has among fans, staff and the fact that he has been a coach at the club in the past. He has the DNA and Manchester United in his blood and that certainly is a help.

So this is why the new man has been appointed and hopefully he will be able to take on the challenge. Solskjaer is 46 years of age, no youngster anymore. Sir Alex Ferguson was also 44 when he took over at Old Trafford. Sir Matt Busby was only 35 when he took charge, so he age should not be to worry about.

So why has he been appointed at this point,

  • Results are fantastic
  • Previous experience from winning Championships
  • He’s got Man Utd in his blood
  • Smiling and always positive
  • His work at Molde should not be faulted
  • Able to prepare next season in the best way possible
  • Still in whit a lot of compete about
  • Fans love him

We wish Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all the best in the new life as manager of Manchester United.

 

Duncan Edwards, The Greatest, Manchester United and England

Embed from Getty Images

The myth is known, and his performances for Manchester United in the 50’s were close to phenomenal, he will for always be seen as a legendary player, but from the books written about him, they really believe he was the greatest ever.

Were we all believe that Pele, Maradona, Messi and Ronaldo were fantastic and up there in the sky of the greatest players, of course together with Beckenbauer and Cruyff, they will according to authers of books about Duncan Edwards describe up there above those stars.

The great winners of the World Cup in 66, Gordon Banks, Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore were amongst those who is in the annals of those really described as legends and the best footballers in the World, but none of them could be described in the same sentences as Duncan Edwards.

Taking a step back, getting some fresh air and really think and find out why on earth someone that died at the age of 21 can be described in those words that is something to find out.

Embed from Getty Images

The auther of the book, Duncan Edwards, The Greatest, describes him as a phantom a person the was so heavily talented that no one, not even in a fantasy game could battle and compete with this player.

He won two major titles in his short lived life, both league trophies with Manchester United, 1955-56 and 1956-57. He had also played 18 games for England before the Munich disaster. Of course a great player but with all fantistic footballers compared who can James Leighton come to this conclusion.

Looking at his way of life you could soon find out that he was a clear example of the perfect role model for a sportsman. He adored football and in many ways pushed football forward. Edwards was not Manchester born, but grew up in Dudley close to Wolverhampton.

Wolverhampton and Aston Villa had their eyes on the young talented player, but a stubborn Sir Matt Busby managed to convince Edwards to sign for his club rather than two of the major clubs in the close neighborhood.

He established himself in the Manchester United team as a teenager and also made his England debut before turning 20. So this was a great player with a great future, so no one doubted that.

He plaid his last league game on the 1st of February 1958, and at that time Italian clubs showed interest as they often did. A number of great English and Scottish stars including Welsh born John Charles were all targeted.

The auther of his book talks about what would and could have happened if he had survived that accident and continued his great life as a footballer. Maybe been part of the 1962 and 1966 World Cup’s even partied up for the Mexico tournament in 1970.

To predict about something that in all is impossible might be stupid, but a good guess is that he could have been a major star in one of the bigger Italian clubs, and of course being paid in the best way possible with restrictions in England on wages for footballers.

Regardless of what would have happened, Duncan Edwards could have been a huge star in Italian football with some of the giants, Juventus, Roma, Inter or AC Milan, but that might not be good listening in the ears of Manchester United fans.

Reading the book is a must if you like football history, and see for yourself, make up your own opinion and hopefully you will find out if you believe he was the greatest or if you just don’t compare to others, but rate him as the great footballer he was.

Chelsea starlet in Manchester United chase, Tottenham in fear, all the latest transfer talk and gossip

Embed from Getty Images

Manchester United is likely to be among those chasing Callum Hudson-Odoy and they have also set their eyes on a lucrative trio in Joao Felix, Ruben Diaz and Bruno Fernandes.

Tottenham fear that Manchester United will hunt their manager Mauricio Pochettino, even with the fantastic impact Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has had at Old Trafford.

Ilkay Gundogan has been seen as a possible departure from Manchester City, but could be that player will be staying put as his deals and situation at the club is a bit tricky regarding his current contract and could made it complicated for a new club to sort everything out.

Rumors about a possible exit at Real Madrid for Toni Kroos is now “big news” and if a major Premier League club comes in, the German midfielder and World Cup winner could be on his way to English football.

Everton are a bit below expectations this season and among those clubs that definitely should be closes to the top six and new targets are listed. Lille forward Rafael Leao is the a player targeted to solve one of the big headaches this season the center forward position.

PSV are flying in the Dutch league and one of their best players is Hirving Lozana, with the Mexican 23 year old a big target for Napoli. Rumors today on the contrary suggests that Manchester United will be in the chase as well.

Norwich defender Ben Godfrey is a player that could be on his way out of Carrow Road. A fee of £10 million would probably be enough to bring the England U.21 international into your camp. Manchester United, West Ham and Newcastle are seen as possible destinations. Don’t be surprised if Leicester City and Wolverhampton also shows interest for the highly rated player who made a great impact on loan at Shrewsbury last season. He has really worked on this and been a integral part of the Premier League promotion push with The Canaries in this campaign.

24 year old Slovakian defender Milan Skriniar is a close target for Manchester City. The Inter Milan player with a past at Sampdoria is now being recognized by those who could tempt they player to leave Italy. Manchester United, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris are together with Barcelona and Real Madrid all clubs that could be looking.

Manchester United will do what it takes to bring the club back on top and a massive transfer bonanza looks as will happen in the summer. No secret that Leicester City defender Harry Maguire is a close target so is Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, but to get their wish come through, a fee of £150million must be paid for Koulbaly and to get Maguire you need to put on an extra £90million.

Embed from Getty Images

Jack Grealish a close target for Leicester City last summer could be joining in the summer if Aston Villa again finishing out of promotion. Wolves and Arsenal are other clubs mentioned as interesting, don’t be surprised if Everton and Tottenham joins the race as well.

Diogo Jota has been seen as a possible signing for Tottenham Hotspur, but few believe that Wolves will sell any of their best players and instead challenge the top clubs and become a real contender for the Premier League trophy in the next two to three seasons.

Noah Okafor is a young and exciting prospect. The Switzerland youth international is one player that has impressed for Basel and now clubs around Europe with Manchester City being mentioned as the most eager to get him on board.

23 year Ayr United forward Lawrence Shankland is a name to look out for. Both Rangers and Celtic are circulating and seen as a possible place to work, but clubs from Bundesliga and Premier League might also be sniffing around. His tally of goals at Ayr is impressive, 47 in 54 league games. He has also scored two goals in two games for Scotland U.21.

Fulham who is in caretaker charge, will try to convince former Chelsea defender and now Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke to join in the summer. Don’t be surprised if Liverpool youngster Ryan Kent comes in, currently impressing on loan at Rangers.

Powered by WordPress.com.

Up ↑