Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told his Manchester United players to relish playing at Old Trafford – but the caretaker manager’s selection against Huddersfield on Saturday will tell us if he intends to do the same.
In April 2014, Solskjaer’s former teammate Ryan Giggs made a fatal mistake when in a similar position – one that the Norwegian must avoid after the thumping 5-1 win at Cardiff last weekend in his own first match in charge.
Giggs took charge for the final four games of the season after Alex Ferguson’s successor David Moyes was sacked nine months into a six-year contract. After a 4-0 win against Norwich, the Welshman rung the changes for a home game against Sunderland.
“We prepared right,” Giggs later said after a 1-0 loss. “I picked a team I thought could win the game and I trusted the players. But some of the players let me down and let themselves down. Maybe I was a little bit too soft.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is more than just a super sub; he’s a super guy and Manchester United legend.
After releasing the shackles at Cardiff, with plenty of free-flowing football on show, Solskjaer would be misguided to shuffle his pack and give some of the other players in his squad a chance to show their qualities.
Most United fans would like to see Diogo Dalot come in for Ashley Young, who wore the captain’s armband in Cardiff, but Nemanja Matic earned himself a reprieve and Ander Herrera showed he can press with energy.
Fred was also impressive off the bench on Saturday, while Juan Mata could thrive in this new attacking set-up.
But rotating the players now could threaten to disrupt the harmony created last weekend – it’s up to those on the bench to earn their place.
Jose Mourinho sacking hints Alex Ferguson is back in power at Manchester United as his disciple Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes the reins