Cristiano Ronaldo had fans gasping for air on Saturday at Old Trafford even before Manchester United’s clash with Aston Villa had begun.
The prodigal son gets bums on seats early so supporters can see his warm-up, and he did not let his legion of believers down, pinging a 25-yard free-kick into the top corner – a goal of the season contender, had it happened in-game.
It was another reminder of the incredible array of talent Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has at his disposal this season. Ninety minutes later, fans were reminded of something else all too apparent about their side, too. An “embarrassment of attacking riches” and a “good headache to have” are just some of the ways United’s revamped squad has been described this season.
But just because you buy all the best tools, it doesn’t make you a joiner, and those shelves will remain on the garage floor without the knowledge of how to put them up.
Solskjaer proved in his side’s frustrating 1-0 defeat on Saturday – their third loss in their last four – that he still appears to lack the tactical acumen to inspire the club to a long-awaited sustained title challenge, despite having all the talent needed to do so.
The Norwegian’s gameplan against Villa consisted of getting balls through to United livewire Mason Greenwood. It was a successful tactic that, on another day, would have proven mightily successful, had the lethal teenager finished off one of his chances.
But that was it. Conversely, a Villa side brimming with endeavour had their flying wing-backs causing problems all match – Matt Targett should have scored from three yards out in the first half. Ollie Watkins pulled into half spaces and Jacob Ramsey provided a clever link between Villa’s midfield and attack.
This was an example of how to prepare for a match. Villa went toe-to-toe with United not only because they had the ability to do so, but due to the fact they had worked on a plan in midweek and simply executed their pre-rehearsed tactics. Pep Guardiola’s possession-based style has served him handsomely, as has Jurgen Klopp’s high-octane press, while Thomas Tuchel’s penchant for the double midfield pivot has seen him take to English football like a duck to water.
Instead, without ever working out what his style of play is, Solskjaer has been able to rely on the individual brilliance in the squad to dig him out of a hole and keep him in a job. The Norwegian has been much criticised for his in-game management, but this defeat against a brilliant Villa side came about as a result of what happened at Carrington, or didn’t in this case, in the days before the match.
This is nothing new. Time and again, as United went on an unbeaten away run in the Premier League last season, Solskjaer got away with it, thanks to several strokes of luck, and his superb individuals turning it on.
Away at Brighton last term, for instance, the hosts hit the woodwork a record number of times in a Premier League match and lost, while United put in a shambolic first-half performance at West Ham but came from behind to earn a thoroughly undeserved victory.
The Wolves match this season was exactly the same. How the home side did not come away with a comfortable victory only they will know, with Greenwood’s powerful strike late on snatching all three points for Solskjaer’s men.
What is perhaps most concerning for United fans is that Solskjaer does not appear to think that anything is wrong. “We’ve started the season well until today,” Solskjaer said. “Villa’s goal should have been disallowed. If you win this game everything is rosy, it’s a fine balance.”
There is a fine balance between success and failure in the Premier League, that is certain, but the one person who can tip that balance in their team’s favour is the coach. How many points has Guardiola won with a tactical switch? How many times has Klopp’s selection paid dividends?
Time is running out for Solskjaer. That famous goal in 1999 has afforded him more time, but coming up to the third anniversary of his appointment, we are no closer to seeing what he can do as a coach, despite the steady, if unspectacular, progress United have made under his tutelage.
It’s not that he is out of ideas, it’s that he has never come up with any.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3zKyKub
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