This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer desperately needed a result, his players ultimately delivered. Amid mounting speculation that he is fighting for his job at Manchester United, the Norwegian essentially faced a day of reckoning against Tottenham on Wednesday night. The return of Jose Mourinho to the Old Trafford touch-line added to the sense of scrutiny on the Red Devils boss, and he surely would have been hoping for something to lift the clouds. And boy did he get a performance.
United produced one of their most complete displays of the season, and arguably their best since the 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea in their opening Premier League game. As per Sofascore, they restricted the visitors to just five shots on target, with a couple of them relatively tame efforts towards the closing stages of the match that David de Gea had no trouble in dealing with. And going forward, they were lightning quick, aggressive and full of movement and life. A characteristic encapsulated by Marcus Rashford’s swashbuckling performance.
The England international netted twice, completed five dribbles and won nine total duels – he typified everything United were good at. But whilst both the display and end result is a welcome turn of events for Solskjaer, it should not by all accounts alter the board’s thinking. One victory – however well earned – should not immediately provide the Norwegian with a stay of execution.
An even bigger test lies on the immediate horizon with the clash against noisy neighbours, and Premier League champions, Manchester City. The mood could quickly change once more if the Red Devils suffer humiliation to one of their closest rivals. All the talk in the build-up to the game on Wednesday night surrounded Solskjaer’s long-term future at the club, and how Mauricio Pochettino had genuine interest in the job.
A 2-1 win over a Tottenham side that had only recently appointed their new manager shouldn’t be held as the barometer of success, or the ultimate evidence in keeping the current United boss. Indeed, their results at home against the big sides have been excellent – wins against Chelsea and Spurs, and draws against Arsenal and Liverpool. It’s in contests against the likes of Crystal Palace and Newcastle that they have slipped up.
And that is exactly why the Red Devils’ hierarchy simply cannot be lulled into a false sense of security based on the mid-week win. It may have provided some temporary respite, but it cannot be deemed as Solskjaer’s permanent saviour.
Meanwhile, Manchester United fans have hailed this ace as being the “new Roy Keane” for his performance against Tottenham.