This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
When your only managerial experience to date consisted of leading Molde in the Norwegian top-flight, and getting Cardiff relegated back to the Championship, there were always bound to be questions about whether you’re good enough to take the reins of a side like Manchester United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s start to life as Red Devils boss was perhaps better than anything he could have ever have dreamed of. Rattlings off wins left, right and centre, and breaking club and league records like they were nothing.
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But then things started to take a turn for the worse, and United’s opening to the new campaign certainly raised the pressure up notch – reports had even suggested he is facing a fight for his future.
But in the space of a week, there appears to have been a turnaround. Not least in terms of the performances and results on the pitch, but the way Solskjaer himself has conducted himself.
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Whilst a point against a flawless Liverpool side was something to cheer about, the United boss’ post-match dig at rival Jurgen Klopp took the cake. Following the German’s criticism over the supposed foul on Divock Origi in the build-up to Marcus Rashford’s goal, Solskjaer took a thinly-veiled dig by suggesting they weren’t playing basketball – a reference to how the visitors were doing that during training earlier in the week.
It was a humorous riposte that was a far cry from the usual cliche-driven spiel Solskjaer usually comes out with. And then, perhaps to prove it wasn’t a fluke, the United legend insisted Rashford only missed the penalty against Norwich on Sunday afternoon because he knew it was a harsh decision to be awarded it. Again, another tongue-in-cheek comment that points to a new lease of life for the under-pressure boss.
After the hard-fought draw against Liverpool, United have pulled off two successive away wins, and that no doubt has helped Solskjaer find some comfort. It may not be the biggest thing in the world, but the Red Devils boss’ post-match comments over the previous week indicate that he may be beginning to enjoy the job once more – and that is only of major benefit to the Manchester side as a whole.