Can Ole Gunnar Solskjaer succeed as Manchester United’s manager?

Manchester United have made an inconsistent start to the 2019/20 campaign with a win, a loss and most recently, a draw. Fans are currently remaining patient with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but as we well know in recent times, patience can wane thin very quickly.

There is no doubt, especially following the humbling of Manchester United at the hands of Crystal Palace and Southampton, that a feverish question has taken hold in the minds of fans: Can their manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer succeed at his job at Manchester United? Or will he be another forlorn hope, a wasted opportunity as were his predecessors who failed to fulfill the promise that preceded their appointments?

This question surely encapsulates the trepidation with which fans and pundits alike must now view the chances of United in the present campaign.

The euphoria following the 4 – 0 victory over Chelsea on the opening day must have by now dissipated to stale ashes at the humiliating loss, a first home defeat since 30 years, to Crystal Palace.

Much of the post-match analysis largely focused on Victor Lindelof’s defensive gaffe as well as David de Gea’s reenactment of his recently acquired art of fumbling. Much was also made of the quite justifiable criticism of the team’s midfielders, especially Jesse Lingard’s ineffectual huff and puff. As will also be said of Paul Pogba’s inability to stamp his authority and talent on the field of play. And of course, who can forget Marcus Rashford’s penalty miss which did nothing to mitigate the frustrations at his hopeless set plays and attempts at shooting from range?

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Perhaps, as a result of his hero status at Old Trafford, the beam of criticism has not yet fallen on the club’s manager. Solskjaer appears, at the moment to be immune to the scathing ire of United’s band of fickle fans. The ones whose insistent cries drove his predecessors to their untimely exit. But not for long will the Norwegian continue to enjoy that luxury.

Already the whispers have started, in muted tones nonetheless, about his tactical acumen and judgment, and as well, the growing perception that he’s only there to serve the interests of the much-maligned Glazer family and the club’s executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward.

Behind his increasingly hard-to-maintain facade of positivity and eternal optimism, Solskjaer must, without doubt, feel that he has come under trial. Whether he realizes it, and it will be foolhardy for him if he hasn’t as yet, his fate at Old Trafford will be determined by how swiftly he can throw out sentimentality and face squarely the reality that stares him in the face.

That reality is that the club and its playing staff are currently under-performing far below their potential. This, ironically, is in spite of the abundant talents and resources at their disposal.

Should Solskjaer continue to refuse to heed the warning signs and fail to take charge of his mission, it won’t be long before the dogs start braying after him, demanding his blood as they did of his predecessors’.