Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Silences Jose Mourinho & Pep Guardiola In Three Days
Despite all the negative criticism, flak and vitriol that has come his way this season with some under par performances Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seems to have redeemed himself and silenced both his critics and doubters by beating the best of the best in the business Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola in the space of 3 days that turned the city Oof Manchester Red and left it beaming with pride.
It’s now beginning to look as if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may have just turned a corner with Manchester United after defeats to Newcastle, Bournemouth and Astana had everyone up in arms with the young manager but potentially season-defining victories over Tottenham on Wednesday and another in Saturday evening’s Manchester derby might have restored a good deal of pride Old Trafford.
The win at the Etihad came just days after José Mourinho was sent home with his tail between his legs after returning to Old Trafford since his sacking.
Mourinho and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola – great rivals and two of the most esteemed coaches in history – both suffered defeats in close succession to the inexperienced Solskjaer.
No manager in history had recorded wins over both Mourinho and Guardiola in the same week, but it’s something Solskjaer’s Manchester United managed to achieve.
It’s a symbolic statistic that underlines Solskjaer’s ability to go toe-to-toe with the best in the business, even this early in his managerial career.
What happens from here depends on Manchester United’s players. It’s up to them now.
Do they want to emulate their manager, revered for his selfless contribution to a team that set the highest standards.
Any team who can perform as United have done these last two matches, who can play a resurgent Tottenham off the park, who can go to the home of the champions cITY and be better, pretty much start to finish, are definitely capable of more.
Manchester United have played good football against the best of the league this season having beaten Leicester, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham and drawn with Liverpool.
As Solskjaer walked off the pitch, after pointing to the badge on his jacket in front of delirious away end, he spotted his mentor in the stands.
Sir Alex Ferguson applauded his Champions League winning striker off the pitch, with the expression of a proud parent on his face, as Solskjaer responded by punching the air.
He’s made mistakes, and he will likely continue to make them, which leads to understandable criticism about a relative novice learning on the job at a club the size of Manchester United.
But the vast majority of fans are desperate for him to succeed and results like the one on Saturday don’t do any harm to his ambitions of staying at the club long-term.
By Gerald Dandah
