Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer started very well when he took over from Mourinho as the club’s manager.
The Norwegian won 10 and drew one of his first 11 games in charge as Man United’s interim boss, a position which has since been made permanent.
The Red Devils had little choice but to make Solskjaer their permanent manager after he inspired that thrilling comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
But there remain doubts about whether the 46-year-old really is the man to rival Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino.
Is he on their level tactically?
Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan doesn’t think so, insisting Man United have made a bad decision to hire Solskjaer.
“Are we really seriously saying Solskjaer is going to out-think Guardiola, out-do Klopp and stand up to Pochettino? I don’t think so,” Jordan said after the appointment was confirmed.
SOLSKJAER ONE DEFEAT AWAY FROM UNWANTED RECORD
Indeed, the honeymoon period seems to be over.
Solskjaer’s United have lost four out of their past five matches in all competitions, coming unstuck against Barcelona, Wolves twice and Arsenal in recent weeks.
And defeat against West Ham on Saturday evening would mark the club’s worst run for 27 years.
Man United’s past five results:
- 10/03 | Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United | Premier League
- 16/03 | Wolves 2-1 Manchester United | FA Cup
- 30/03 | Manchester United 2-1 Watford | Premier League
- 02/04 | Wolves 2-1 Manchester United | Premier League
- 10/04 | Manchester United 0-1 Barcelona | Champions League
Man United haven’t lost five out of six matches since 1992 when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge.
It’s a record that Solskjaer will not want on his CV, and it’s worth pointing out that West Ham have already beaten Man United this season.
The Hammers beat the Red Devils 3-1 when Jose Mourinho was still in charge in September.
But Manuel Pellegrini’s do not enter the game at Old Trafford in great form themselves.
West Ham have lost four out of their past six games and were beaten by Everton and Chelsea in their last two outings.
Currently sitting 11th in the Premier League table, motivation levels may not be extremely high in the West Ham dressing room.
Meanwhile, United are in need of three points to maintain their hopes of finishing in the top four.