Mike Phelan – Manchester United’s unsung hero after the departure of Jose Mourinho

The media has heaped praise on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for transforming Manchester United after Jose Mourinho’s sacking, but Mike Phelan is equally to thank for the quick turnaround.

When Jose Mourinho was dismissed in December, Manchester United were 6th in the table after 17 games with 26 points and a goal difference of zero – their worst start to a Premier League season since 1990/91.

When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed as his temporary replacement, few thought he would go on to turn things around so swiftly.

Indeed, United are currently on an eight-game winning streak after beating Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town, Bournemouth, Newcastle United, Reading, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton and Hove Albion and now Arsenal.

Although United are still 6th, the gap between us and fourth place has been reduced from 11 to just three points.

Solskjaer has rightly earned plaudits – including from the likes of co-site expert at Red Devil Armada Ollie Slack and even myself.

However, not much has been said about another important figure who has arrived at the club after the departure of Mourinho – Mike Phelan.

It’s no coincidence that Manchester United are finally playing like sides of yesteryear right after we’ve brought back the assistant manager who worked under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Phelan was Fergie’s right-hand man between 2008 and 2013, winning three Premier League titles, a Club World Cup and two League Cups while reaching two UEFA Champions League finals.

The way United are playing now has roots in the counter-attacking DNA we saw develop during this period – which peaked with the front three of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Anthony Martial’s goal in the 3-1 win against Arsenal in the FA Cup is a great example of this. When Paul Pogba won the ball back in midfield, Martial and Marcus Rashford burst forward straight away – something we hadn’t seen under Mourinho.

Although Solskjaer has an important say in how the team is set up, it’s clear that Phelan is the one who is coaching these players to get some of that flair back into United’s playstyle.

The caretaker manager recognised this himself when an interviewer praised him for implementing an attacking style at United, pointing out that it’s his assistant who deserves the praise – not him.

So can we all appreciate the incredible job Mike Phelan is doing at the club alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer? Because he certainly deserves it.