Manchester United’s resurgence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has seen the former United player rise to the forefront of candidates being considered for the permanent role.
The Norwegian manager has set a new Premier League record after picking up 26 points out of the available 30 from his first ten games. Manchester United also closed the gap from Champions League spots from 11 points to 1.
Ole Solskjaer was asked whether top four would be more important than a cup triumph and stressed United should strive to achieve both objectives. “Every single game is going to be very important,” Solskjaer stressed. “As I’ve said many times before, every day here is a chance to improve standards, and we need to get back to the standards that are set for a Manchester United player.“We can’t say we are happy with the top four. A top four finish would be fantastic, but to get to the final of the FA Cup and win a trophy would be fantastic. You can’t pick and choose. We just have to make sure that now, against Palace, we’re ready. Then it’s Southampton, PSG, then it’s Arsenal and Wolves. You can’t pick and choose your games.”
Solskjaer has won 11, drawn two and lost one from his 14 games in caretaker charge and the vast majority of United fans want Solskjaer to be installed as the club’s next permanent manager. United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward maintained the club’s stance earlier this month when he said there would be no further announcement on the managerial situation until the end of the season.
The ‘baby-faced Assassin’ has also downplayed Gary Neville’s comments there would be ‘mutiny’ among Manchester United supporters if the Norwegian is not appointed manager on a full-time basis. Former Valencia manager and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has said there will be “mutiny” at Manchester United if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not get the full-time manager’s role. He made this statement on live TV during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool. “It’s not like I’m walking round and [going], ‘Come on. Let’s just take that when it comes’. Gary is known for his opinions and comments, so that’s his job.”
Manchester United travel to Crystal Palace on Wednesday and host Southampton on Saturday in the Premier League before their Champions League round-of-16 return leg with Paris Saint-Germain on March 6. United then head to Arsenal in the league on the 11th and face a testing FA Cup quarter-final at Wolves on the 16th ahead of the March internationals