Despite looming shadow of Pochettino, Solskjaer’s tactics and subs are spot on and he’s doing a good job at Man Utd

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER must grow tired of reading about all the great coaches lining up to take his job.

The latest rocked up to Old Trafford on Wednesday night in another eye-catching outfit from his much admired wardrobe.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has enjoyed a fine spell after being linked with the sackCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail

Solskjaer welcomed Julian Nagelsmann’s RB Leipzig to Old Trafford on WednesdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Julian Nagelsmann, the 33-year-old coach of RB Leipzig who has guided them to the top of the Bundesliga on the back of last season’s run to the Champions League semi-finals.

Every footballing hipsters dream.

And Solskjaer promptly sent him home with the biggest spanking he has received in his coaching career – 5-0.

Of course the spectre of Mauricio Pochettino never goes away while he remains out of a job.

Which is some time now given that it is three weeks short of a year since he was sacked by Tottenham.

He’ll be morphing into Alan Curbishley soon.

Gareth Southgate even gets a mention every time England turn in a good performance and Manchester United lose.

Meanwhile Solskjaer gets on with his job and yes, right now he is doing a very good one and the wish inside Old Trafford must be that he is just allowed to get on with it.

If you judge him on the 6-1 Spurs game many United fans would have him out.

Not good enough, not enough experience, daft sentimental choice.

So what do we say this morning after backing up that incredible performance in beating Paris Saint Germain by demolishing Leipzig.

Why not look back over a year’s work rather than judge his managerial credentials from game to game?

Last season a third-placed league finish and three semi-finals was some achievement.

Marcus Rashford’s hat-trick delivered a 5-0 win over the GermansCredit: EPA

Now he is building on that.

The start was dodgy this season and there are mitigating factors; with a break of just 34 days and only one week’s preparation with the full squad.

Now they are back up and running.

Solskjaer said: “We’ve not been fit before the international break, that’s just an obvious fact, now we’re covering the pitch, we’re running and we’ve got players who are fitter, stronger and sharper.

“For me, that consistency has been there since February, it has been getting better and better.

“Yeah the first league game was very disappointing, and the circumstances of the Tottenham defeat but we’re getting better.

“We’re playing against good teams you know, we were slaughtered after Chelsea but I thought our performance was solid and good then as well.”

Yes that 0-0 draw saw another solid defensive performance.

In fact in the last four games they have not conceded to an opposition player with unfortunate own goals from Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial the only ones against them.

Solskjaer has been plotting his way through these recent games by changing personnel and formations as he utilises his squad and keeps them fresh.

For a manager who some would claim is tactically naïve he has got it right on two massive occasions in Europe with the 3-4-1-2 in Paris and the diamond midfield against Leipzig.

Solskjaer said: “The squad is good and of course it gives us options now. We have the possibility to play a 4-3-3, a diamond, 4-2-3-1, 3-4-1-2, but it’s execution and it’s the principles and work-rate that’s key here.”

The team selection too has been spot on.

He has held Donny van de Beek back but gave him his first start on Wednesday at the tip of the diamond and it worked.

As did playing Paul Pogba and Fred on the two outward points of that diamond.

Pogba’s ball for Mason Greenwood’s opener was superb. Yes he has had stick in these pages but credit where it is due for his performance against Leipzig.

He gets his changes right too.

Having worn down the hardworking Leipzig, on he sends Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford to finish them off with Rashford grabbing a hat-trick.

So next up it’s Arsenal on Sunday with Mikel Arteta.

He’s the pupil of Pep, you know, so he has to be one of the best in the land. Surely, the man who is going to take Arsenal forward.

Meanwhile the former manager of Molde gets on with the job.

And he’s doing a good job.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk