Watford boss Javi Gracia believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tactical talent is being overlooked and the Norwegian has done more at Manchester United than creating a good atmosphere.
Solskjaer was announced yesterday as the permanent manager of United on a three-year deal after a brilliant spell as the club’s interim boss.
In his 19 games in charge, the former striker has won 14 matches, losing just three times and guiding Manchester United to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Solskjaer has been particularly lauded for the change in atmosphere he has brought about since replacing Jose Mourinho, who was sacked by the club in December.
However, as Gracia prepares for his Watford’s side match at Old Trafford on Saturday, the Spaniard insists there is much more to Solskjaer than him simply being a good motivator.
“The good results help you to keep all the good things you have in the moment,” Gracia told Standard Sport.
“But if you don’t have a good base of work tactically, from analysing teams and preparing every single game, the atmosphere doesn’t win games alone.
“You need to do a lot of things well. After that, the atmosphere is a consequence of the other important things.
“It is not a surprise [how well Solskjaer has done]. He is doing really well changing the team.
“He is getting good results with a good squad. They have a very good squad but to win and to be on the up is not easy for anybody. And in this case he has done a very good job.”
Solskjaer has certainly won over the United fans, whose overwhelming support for him was understood to be a factor in him securing the job on a permanent basis.
The supporters are sure to give the 46-year-old a warm welcome tomorrow at Old Trafford, when he takes charge of his first match as the club’s permanent manager. However, Gracia does not think the jubilant atmosphere makes Watford’s challenge any harder.
“It won’t be different,” Gracia added. “The atmosphere of Old Trafford doesn’t depend on the new contract of a coach in my opinion.
“The coach already has the support of the fans. It is always difficult to play against United, it is very demanding. But we have always competed really well against them.
“We have lost games against them but they have always been very close. I am sure we will have our chances if we play as we know we can.”
Watford will be without Tom Cleverley, meaning the midfielder misses the chance to play against the club at which he spent 15 years.
The 29-year-old is struggling with a calf problem and is now a doubt for his side’s FA Cup semi-final with Wolves at Wembley week on Sunday.
“In this moment if you ask [if he can play against Wolves], I would tell you no,” said Gracia.
“It is a problem and we will have to see in the next weeks how he is.”
