CARDIFF (AFP) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first test as Manchester United's caretaker manager will come in familiar surroundings as the Norwegian returns to Cardiff City on Saturday (Dec 22), hoping to fare better than he did during an ill-fated nine-month spell with the Welsh side in 2014.
Solskjaer's appointment was described as designed to put a smile back on the face of everyone at the club after the confrontational end to Jose Mourinho's two-and-a-half years in charge.
The new man's first act on his return to the club's Carrington training ground was reportedly to gift a bar of Norwegian chocolate to the club's long-serving receptionist - a gesture of the human qualities United know they are getting.
"The smiling assassin sums him up," former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, who played with Solskjaer, told the BBC. "He's a lovely fella but Ole will let people know if he's not happy with them." The best way for him to lighten to mood quickly will be with results on the pitch.
A 3-1 defeat by Liverpool last weekend left United 19 points off the league leaders and 11 points adrift of the top four, but Solskjaer can look forward to a relatively forgiving fixture list over the festive period.
After visiting the Cardiff City Stadium, the Red Devils host Huddersfield and Bournemouth before travelling to Newcastle on January 2.
Solskjaer's presence rekindles memories of United's golden age, but also serves as a stark reminder of how far the club have fallen since the retirement of Alex Ferguson in 2013.
Â
Â
Â
Â
In 11 seasons under Ferguson as a predatory striker, Solskjaer scored 126 goals, including the one that famously won the Champions League final in 1999 as part of a treble of major trophies.
Yet, doubts remain over whether Solskjaer's appointment as caretaker boss until the end of the season is based too strongly on sentimentality than someone with the right mix of motivational and tactical prowess to get United not only competing again in the Premier League, but who can push Paris Saint-Germain in a challenging Champions League last-16 tie.
His time at Cardiff that resulted in just three wins in 18 Premier League games, relegation and being sacked early the next season after a poor start in the Championship does not offer much cause for optimism.
But two spells in charge of Molde in his homeland have been far more successful and Solskjaer also started his managerial career working as United's reserve coach, where he oversaw Paul Pogba among others.
The French World Cup winner's frosty relationship with Mourinho was a major factor in the Portuguese's failure to build on winning the League Cup and Europa League in his first season at Old Trafford.
Pogba has started United's last three Premier League games on the bench, but is expected to return to the starting XI after Solskjaer claimed earlier this year he would "build the team around him".
Solskjaer must also find the right defence to offer David de Gea more protection. The Spaniard has conceded more goals in the Premier League this season (29) in 17 games than the whole of the previous campaign as Mourinho persistently changed his backline to no effect.
In attacking areas, Mourinho's dismissal could also provide a fresh start for Juan Mata and Anthony Martial, while £50 million (S$86.7 million) summer recruit Fred, who did not even make the bench at Anfield last weekend, may now be given the chance to flourish.
Ahead of the crucial match between Manchester City and Chelsea, manager Maurizio Sarri explained why Higuain and Hazard connect so much. On the last match Chelsea played in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge, both Gonzalo Higuain and Eden Hazard scored a brace after following Maurizio Sarri's orders.
Chelsea news: Maurizio Sarri hails Gonzalo Higuain and makes
AFC. The AFC was not part of the World Cup 2018 draw in any way, shape, or form. They did their own thing and have already progressed to the 2nd round of qualification. Those matches began back in June. To get you up to speed, here are a couple screenshots of current standings, projections and evolution of odds.
Real Madrid They say you should never go back. However, Mourinho has shown in the past that such an adage is one he has no time for, demonstrated by his return to Chelsea for a second stint after departing Real Madrid in May 2013.
Sacked Mourinho will be next Real Madrid - mirror.co.uk
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud said he has been approached by other clubs to play for them next season but wants to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge if manager Maurizio Sarri can offer regular
Giroud demands important role at Chelsea FC next season
Sport24.co.za | Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English Champions League final Spain - Madrid will deploy an unprecedented number of police and security personnel for Saturday's all-English Champions League final, and use a drone for the first time to monitor fan activity.
Bottom club Huddersfield Town ended their eight-match losing streak in the Premier League with a goalless draw at fellow strugglers Cardiff City on Saturday.Cardiff, in 17th place, did not manage
Football: Huddersfield end losing run with 0-0 draw at Cardiff
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has been hit with an Football Association charge for improper conduct following his side's loss at Burnley last weekend. Pochettino confronted referee Mike
Spurs boss Pochettino charged by FA with improper conduct
Welcoming New Employee Message It is always an exciting time to bring a new employee on board. From training to socially acclimating to a new environment, here are some great examples of welcoming new employee messages that will help you to bring out the great hospitality of your organization and fellow colleagues.
Photos: Seniors welcome 2019 with Happy Noon Year celebration
Guardiola expects Man City to suffer in tricky trip to Newport FILE PHOTO: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks on at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - Jan 26, 2019. Action Images via
MADRID • A first trophy in seven years for Liverpool, and a first win in seven finals for Jurgen Klopp. The European Cup headed back to Anfield for the sixth time yesterday and their manager is confident there is much more to come, warning the rest of football's big boys that "this is still only the start".
Jurgen Klopp Vows 'It's Only the Start' for His Liverpool
Sergio Aguero recorded a hat-trick to fire Manchester City back into second place with a 3-1 victory against Arsenal at the Etihad. The Blues are now two points adrift of Liverpool, who travel to
Wigan 0 Everton 1: Tim Cahill heads late winner as Toffees extend splendid run. 'In Germany when I win, after the game I am half p****d, but I didn't even get a water!':
West Ham 0-2 Everton RESULT - Toffees win at London Stadium
Sanchez: Spurs squad can cope without Kane and Alli Injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli will not derail Tottenham's Premier League title challenge, insists Davinson Sanchez.
Sanchez: Spurs squad can cope without Kane and Alli
Feb 20, 2019 · Unai Emery has said it is up to Mesut Özil to get his Arsenal career back on track Mesut Özil's Arsenal future is in his own hands, says Unai Emery sign up and get our daily football
Football: Liverpool stun Barcelona 4-0 in second leg to reach Champions League final with 4-3 aggregate win Liverpool fans in Singapore and around the world in awe after improbable comeback.
Liverpool News, Scores, Schedule, Stats, Teamsheet - soccer
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar