How much have Manchester United actually progressed?
By Anna Dugdale
This season the Premier League has been very different to previous years. The top teams aren’t performing to their usual standard, the big six has had a total reshuffle. Teams like Leicester City and West Ham United have possibly knocked Arsenal and Liverpool off their sure-fire spots in the top six. This has coincided with Manchester United’s upturn in form.
However, the question must be asked about whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has genuinely improved the Red Devils or if their position in the table is also down to some of their competitors’ lack of form this season.
Furthermore, when Manchester City were just beginning to pull away from their neighbours in the title race, United failed to string together results in order to keep up. But when the Red Devils struggled for wins, there were no teams ready to overtake them.
The closest team have been Leicester City, who have been impressive all season. The emergence of Kelechi Iheanacho has definitely aided them in their quest for top four.
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Solskjaer deserves a lot of credit for Manchester United’s recent successes
However, this does not lessen the work that Solskjaer has done to improve the team during his tenure. His man management has been second-to-none, which has brought United’s struggling defence back to life.
Particularly, his handling of Luke Shaw has given the side a new lease of life down the left hand side. Additionally, Harry Maguire has found his form again. He has turned into the commanding leader at the back that United have been searching for, which is the reason he was signed.
Solskjaer has also brought a sense of stability to the club, something many believe has been lacking since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson. This cannot be underestimated either.
There is now a football director, John Murtough, and a technical director, Darren Fletcher. The stability aspect is a huge part of why transfers have succeeded more regularly under Solskjaer.
The real and true indicator of United’s progress will be seen over the next couple of seasons. With City’s dominance not seeming to end anytime soon and Liverpool also expected to bounce back, the true test of the Red Devils will come when everyone is at their full strength and on top form. However, for now, Solskjaer deserves a lot of credit.