In the immediate aftermath of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s appointment as caretaker manager of Manchester United, everything appeared to be all rosy in the Old Trafford garden once more. The Red Devils were reeling off wins, left, right and centre, and they seemed to have found their groove again.
But following that exceptional start which included an impressive nine game winning streak away from home, the tides have somewhat turned. Solskjaer has faced renewed speculation over his long-term future at Old Trafford in recent weeks and months, with suggestions that he was even fighting for his job late last year.
But positive results against the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City appeared to quieten down that talk. Despite their defeat to Arsenal on New Year’s Day, the Red Devils remain well and truly in the race to finish in the top four and thus secure qualification to the Champions League next season.
But one image that Solskjaer continues to struggle to shake off, is this idea that he is a puppet for Ed Woodward and the Glazers. A mouthpiece for the regime that has led to United’s barren years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure back in the summer of 2013. A ‘yes-man’ who goes along with whatever his employers have to say, and does nothing to shake the boat or upset the apple cart.
Several United fans have been very public with that opinion of their club legend on social media this season.
But with the January transfer window now open, Solskjaer has the perfect opportunity to start shedding that image. The Red Devils have an injury crisis in midfield with both Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba out injured, whilst they are relying on an 18-year-old in Mason Greenwood to be their third-choice striker this season.
United could desperately do with some reinforcements in both those areas this month, and rather than simply standing aside and insisting that they will only do business if it’s right for them, Solskjaer should be more forceful. He must refuse to toe the party line and state clearly what needs to be done in terms of recruitment to take the team forward.
Quickfire Quiz: How much do you know about Man Utd’s history in the January transfer window?
It would help the United fans to put aside their perception of the Norwegian as a ‘yes man’ and a ‘puppet’, and also help him asset his authority to both Woodward and the Glazers. It’s Solskjaer’s time to take charge once and for all.
Meanwhile, Manchester United fans were left unimpressed by this ace’s shocking display against Arsenal.