The Theatre of Dreams is still dreaming for their Norweigan manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to finally end the silverware drought associated with Manchester United. Although Solskjaer’s contract renewal exhilarated the Red Devils, the pundits believe the frustrating United spectators are waiting for their opportunity to scream #OleOut.
🔴⚫️ #ManUtd pic.twitter.com/1BqNLmUpY9
— Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (@olegs26_ole) May 21, 2021
Donning the manager’s chair at Manchester United is a demanding prospect but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has solved the Red Devils’ puzzle in the last few years. But his shambolic performances in the knockout stages of the competitions have left people questioning his position with the English club. We find out if the love story of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Manchester United could be darting towards a breakup or not?
THE CLOCK IS TICKING
The Special One in his controversial tenure at Old Trafford landed a Europa League trophy at the Theatre. While Ole’s stint with the Red Devils is believed to be more successful than Mourinho’s, the trophy cabinet under the former hasn’t had an addition since the latter’s departure.
While United faced a semi-final curse in the domestic tournaments, a shambolic outing against Spanish outfit Villareal saw the Red Devils lose a Europa League trophy. While the Manchester United spectators might be excited with Solskjaer’s contract renewal, the world knows there’s a ticking bomb hanging over his head.
Villarreal win the penalty shoot-out.
United: ✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️❌
Villarreal: ✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️#MUFC | #UELfinal— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 26, 2021
United’s decision to participate in the breakaway league in April left the long-term fans furious outside the Theatre, while the posters of Glazers Out are still hanging out outside the Theatre. So if the Red Devils end up another season trophyless, the frustrated spectators could storm Old Trafford once again.
After Mourinho’s unfortunate sacking, the Norweigan took charge of the depleting Red Devils. Since Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United have parted ways, the English club’s quest for a world-class manager hasn’t been fulfilled. The candidates ranged from Dutch grandmaster Louis Van Gaal to Portuguese wizard Jose Mourinho, but neither of them successfully owned United’s managerial throne.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDyRaKopFBK/?hl=en
When the sparkling centre-forward arrived at United as a manager, everyone witnessed United’s desperation to discover the perfect participant. But a Temporary Ole Gunnar Solskjaer shows glimpses of promise while the Permanent one succumbed under Premier League’s pressure.
The protagonist of Camp Nou, Ole rattled England’s top-flight with a glittering record of 10 wins from 11 matches. But since United and the Norweigan became permanent partners, the Red Devils’ ship faced a sudden decline. An unsettling record of 18 wins from 46 matches in his first season sent shockwaves around Manchester.
Our past. Our present. 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.
✍🇳🇴 We are delighted to announce that Ole has signed a new deal with the club! #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 24, 2021
While neighbours City conquered the English throne, United laboured to finish second in the Premier League. The fact that United’s highlight of their campaign was three points against their city rivals Manchester City spoke volumes about the disastrous season the Red Devils had and how it was shrouded by a Champions League spot and a Europa League silver medal.
While the optimistic disciple of Solskjaer might believe that Ole’s at the Wheel, the fact is that the Norweigan’s car hasn’t taken a gallop forward.
A FAMILY AT THE THEATRE
Like two aspects of a coin, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s stint at the Theatre has witnessed a few positives too. The Norweigan has single-handedly transformed United’s forward battery with mindful but jaw-dropping business in the summer window.
While everyone talked about Luis Suarez’s free transfer to Spanish champions Atletico Madrid and how the Uruguayan transformed Simeon’s squad, another free Uruguayan revamped the goal-scoring tally at the Theatre.
In his 39 appearances donning the red jersey, the Uruguayan poacher smashed 17 thundering strikes along with 6 magnificent assists. Ole’s masterclass of signing the veteran paid off, as Cavani earned himself another summer in the Premier League.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPYFWkWh_lI/?hl=en
Not only that, Jose Mourinho’s benchwarmer Luke Shaw would never have been given opportunities under any other manager after the Portuguese’s treatment of the English left-back. But Ole’s continuous trust in the Three Lion’s defender saw Shaw threaten every English league defender this summer with his knack of goal-scoring abilities adding fuel to Mourinho’s fire.
Ole’s culture of maintaining a friendly dressing room environment is the reason behind United’s constant success and why Old Trafford is once again becoming a formidable battleground. While outfits like Everton or Swansea demolished the Red Devils two summers back, City and Arsenal are finding it demanding to earn themselves a win.
This is his home.
This is where he belongs.Jadon Sancho is 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗.#MUFC x @Sanchooo10 pic.twitter.com/LAIBn7ie7V
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 23, 2021
When the Norweigan took charge of the Reds, he dumped Lukaku and Sanchez to Inter after their catastrophic campaign. Although Harry Maguire’s, Aaron Wan-Bisaaka’s, and Jadon Sancho’s signature cost United a fortune, the Red Devils squad needed the injection of leadership and talent that the three brought to the table.
Luke Chadwick, Solskajer’s teammate at the Red Devils, isn’t shocked by the manager’s march to glory.“He was always really studious of the game,”
THE EXPECTATIONS
Something the frustrated United spectators need to realise is that England’s a place where you have to give your manager some breathing space. Jurgen Klopp failed to land a trophy for the Reds for a handful of campaigns before completely changing Liverpool’s trophy cabinet.
🗣 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: "Jurgen [Klopp] spent four years building his team and they're doing well now.
"I've said so many times – it's not going to be a quick fix." pic.twitter.com/9XJDa0x90J
— GOAL (@goal) January 24, 2020
If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants the same time and respect from United’s management, the Norwegian at least needs a domestic piece of silverware. And if the Red Devils manage to conquer the European crown or the English throne, the Norweigan’s revamp would have been completely successful.
