It goes without saying that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has transformed the Manchester United squad.
United fans have gone from seeing players such as Marcus Rojo, Marouane Fellaini and Matteo Darmian to the likes of Raphael Varane, Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The job of cutting ties with squad members who were surplus to requirements hasn’t been easy, but Solskjaer deserves huge plaudits for the job he has done.
However, the credit appears to end there for the Reds boss. When we look at specific player improvements, tactics and silverware, it can be a difficult task to identify areas of progress since Solskjaer took over, as Gary Neville alluded to this week.
"That's the team they are and I have called them 'the odd bunch' because I still look at them and think as though they are a team that wins games in moments,” the former United right-back said on his Sky Sports podcast.
Watching United since Solskjaer took charge, besides counter-attacking football, one struggles to understand what style of play Solskjaer is trying to implement.
"When I look at Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, they are teams and put team performances in,” Neville observed.
If Solskjaer’s playing philosophy is compared to his managerial rivals, there is little to recommend from a United perspective.
Jurgen Klopp’s full-backs have a key influence, Pep Guardiola plots relentless pressing patterns and Thomas Tuchel has moulded a solid defensive unit. Each man gives prime examples of what it takes to be recognised as an elite manager.
A clear style of play improves footballers as they understand their duties, which may begin to explain the lack of progress from a player perspective at Old Trafford.
The array of talent in Manchester United’s dressing room is there for everyone to see, however, they have relied too often on individuals stepping up and rescuing games. Solo brilliance will win you matches but will not win you titles.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer responded to Neville’s comments regarding his style of play ahead of United’s Champions League clash with Villarreal.
“Of course you’re working on your style of play and you're working on patterns, your in-possession games and out-of-possession game,"
"If you look at the stats, I don’t think I’ve seen a game with less playing time [that United's 1-0 loss to Aston Villa], there was 45 minutes effective playing time, normally it’s 55 or 60.”
"Maybe that’s because we finished the attacks too quickly, same with Villa. But if you slow it down too much it might be against a low block then and we know Villarreal defend well and can be hard to play against. We need to play quickly. Gary knows what DNA is here at the club and what we’re trying to do."
The response has only caused further confusion as to what exactly Solskjaer is trying to do in terms of on the pitch and the comments only align with what Neville was referring to; that Manchester United are struggling to find a specific identity under his old teammate.
What do you think of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer? Follow our United trends writer Anil Kandola and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
