OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER could earn “the break of his life” at Manchester United, says Gary Neville, but the club’s interim boss still has “a lot of work” to do before earning a permanent position.
The Red Devils turned to a familiar face for assistance following Jose Mourinho’s dismissal in December.
A treble-winning hero from the past was charged with the task of clearing up the mess at Old Trafford and salvaging a season which was in danger of being left in ruins.
Six successive victories have seen Solskjaer make a dream start to life in a high-profile post and forced him firmly into the frame for an extended stay in the dugout.
Former team-mate Neville has, however, pointed out that there is still a long way to go in the pursuit of a top-four finish and major silverware and that no decision on managerial appointments can be made at this stage.
He told Sky Sports after seeing United claim their most notable scalp to date during a 1-0 victory over Tottenham at Wembley Stadium: “Before the game, I said if Manchester United lost the game, the result should not determine the outcome of the next United manager.
“One thing I will say is because Manchester won, it shouldn’t determine the outcome of the Manchester United manager.
“It shouldn’t be like that. We shouldn’t flip from week to week as to whether Solskjaer should be the Manchester United manager at the end of the season or not.
“It’s something that I think will need to be looked at in April or May when there’s been a body of work put in.
“But it’s been a wonderful start. I’m delighted for him as a person because he’s a brilliant person. He’s a thinker of the game and you’ve seen that in the first half against Tottenham.
“He’s come through the coaching ranks in the right way.
“He’s done his grounding, if you like, in the reserves at Manchester United. He’s gone away to Norway and done well at Molde. He’s come back and had his bad experience at Cardiff which I think most managers would say that you need. He’s gone back to Molde and now he’s got a little break.
“It might be the break of his life but there’s still a lot of work to do. He won’t be getting carried away because he’ll recognise there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
United remain sixth in the Premier League table despite edging out Spurs but are making up ground on the Champions League spots.
They have drawn level on points with Arsenal, while they are now just six behind Chelsea and a further point back on Tottenham.
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He should be rediscovering his form & fitness with Munster not with the national team. Shouldn’t be a separate rule for him no matter how good he is at his best. Just lowers squad standards….
@ℝ: Who should be in the squad ahead of him, do you think? Marmion is barely back from injury and McGrath is still out for a few more weeks.
@Conor Matthews: Cooney and Blade, the two form Irish scrumhalves by a country mile… and especially for the Italy game. The pace the pair play is perfect for an ireland game to run Italy ragged, and test their fringe defences as unlike Murray both delight at sniping runs at defences. Cooney may be light on Caps but he has loads of experience having played for three provinces and excelled at all…
Yep, no sympathy for Murray or Sexton, thats 2 games they havent performed. Get in the queue and earn your places again boys. And this is why Joe should be rotating the squad more often. Like it was mentioned above, get your game time at the provinces…..and then bring that game to the national team, if youre good enough. Class is permanent, Joe says, yeah but who puts BOD (no disrespect meant) in at 13 these days. Form…form…form
@Trev: sexton was poor v England but he was running the game v Scotland until he got injured. We’d have won by 30 if he’d have stayed on.
@Chris Mc: complete tosh. Apart from the assist to stockdale sexton was bang average. Kicking out of hand was poor and his kick from the tee was embarrassing. He wasn’t as poor as Murray but don’t kid yourself if you think he’s in any better form. Last decent shift sexton put in was against NZ for club and country.
@Chris Mc: yes he got injured, is that your or my fault? No. As the saying goes……youre only as good as your last game. He’s had 2 now, & so has Murray. There is plenty of class waiting in the wings (but thats another discussion)…
Just re-read the headline, that is just pish! Either he can play at the highest level or…he cant. Simple until he gets back up there. But do not waste international minutes on him on the off-chance that he is going to take another 10 or so games to rediscover his form. Same with Sexton….Joe its time to start cracking the whip!!!
@Trev: I think Joe Schmidt will start Sexton and Murray.I also think he should
I’d really like to see the other players get a chance to prove their worth under pressure. What is going to happen in the RWC if a key member gets injured? The tournament is beyond Ireland realistically, so give Carbery etc starting roles. We don’t want a repeat of player burnout before the finals stages
Murray’s been way off it the last number of games ever since Exeter visited Limerick. Hope he rediscovers but can’t be at the expense of Ireland.