OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER will prove beyond all doubt Manchester United were right to sack Jose Mourinho – if his side beat Everton this weekend.
If United pick up all three points against the Toffees, Solskjaer will have picked up more points in his first 17 Premier League matches this season than Mourinho managed in his first – and last 17 – last season.
Can Solskjaer overtake Mourinho with a win over Everton this weekend?
The Norwegian chief has overseen six wins, six draws and four defeats in his first 16 league matches in charge, for a total of 24 points.
Should he steal another win this weekend, after superb victories over Tottenham and rivals Manchester City – Solskjaer will boast one more point than Mourinho in the same span.
In the 17 matches up until his sacking, now-Spurs coach Jose won seven, drew five and lost five – with a goal difference of 0.
Solskjaer’s United currently have a goal difference of +6 from his first 17 matches “at the wheel”.
The Norwegian got off to a flying start to life at Old Trafford, but the club’s form from February onwards took a massive nosedive.
With the pressure mounting, Solskjaer has suddenly overseen a massive uptick in fortunes.
Two games ago, the current Old Trafford boss was staring at the likelihood of having a worse record than Mourinho prior to his sacking.
But 2-1 victories over Spurs and City have brought an instant feel-good factor back to the club.
Solskjaer will hope to keep the good work up against Everton this weekend – and has insisted his side are a very different animal to one thumped 4-0 in the same fixture last term.
The United boss said: “We lost quite clearly against Everton last season.
“We’ve spoken enough about what happened that day and how we looked like a team.
“It was more or less a shambles, but I’ve said too many times this year as well, we’re not that group any more.
“This is a different group, a group that’s ready for the fight and is ready for the football.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk