This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
As quoted by Sky Sports, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has declared the club have moved past their “sticky patch” this season.
What did he say?
The Red Devils endured a miserable start to the season, falling to humiliating defeats to the likes of Crystal Palace and Newcastle in the Premier League. But following their seismic triumphs over rivals Tottenham and Manchester City in the space of a week, the momentum has well and truly shifted at Old Trafford, with the side now up into fifth in the top-flight.
And now, Solskjaer has insisted that the Red Devils have come out the other side feeling re-energised by what they have been through, and stated his belief in his team has never wavered.
He said: “Consistency is vital in football if you’re going to win trophies and this young team need to learn how to put on performances when they don’t feel like it, when they don’t feel great. That’s a learning curve and I’m sure these young boys in the next couple of years will improve and hopefully for the rest of the season.
“We’ve come through a sticky patch with bad injuries and bad results and we’re looking brighter now. Results are the proof in the end but inside we’ve always believed what we are doing. There’s going to be ups and downs but we are on the right track. I see these boys every single day in training and what their attitude is, as well as the skills and the quality they’ve got, so I’ve not been that worried.”
Too soon
More than anything, the two wins over Spurs and City have given Solskjaer some much-needed breathing room. The Norwegian’s long-term future at the club was supposedly under threat, with reports even suggesting that he was fighting for his job at Old Trafford. But in defeating two big sides, the cloud hovering above the club has lifted somewhat.
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Whilst Solskjaer is quite strong in claiming that he believes the club have overcome their rough period, the tough Christmas schedule will really test that statement. The Red Devils have been excellent in big games under their Norwegian manager, with the City win giving him an overall record against the big six as: played 13, won seven, drawn four and lost just two. It is against the sides United are expected to beat that they have encountered some trouble, so the next few weeks will be key to determining whether they really have turned the corner.
Meanwhile, Manchester United fans have been raving about transfer links to this midfielder who starred in the Champions League last season.
