Solksjaer's bust and boom cycle - Is he the right man for the job?

 

Ole Gunner Solksjaer's tactics and game management is under scrutiny at Old Trafford, will he come of age or continue the bust and boom cycle? (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Ole Gunner Solksjaer is a loveable character, brilliant with words and you won’t be wrong to call him a crisis manager, but there’s a pattern with his reigns at Old Trafford, boom and bust if you wish to call it that, how long more does he have before fans turn on him at Manchester United?

The Old Trafford hierarchy – American owners The Glazer family and the executive vice chairman Ed Woodward have reiterated their supported for the Norwegian and they strongly believe he is the right man to lead the club back to glory days domestically as well as on the continental stage.

Despite the huge support from the top, some section of fans think otherwise and will not stop voicing their dissatisfaction with the manager who was recently handed another three year deal, with United hoping to avoid a third straight home defeat in 8 days, beating Villareal is not negotiable for Solksjaer.

There’s a growing concern among lots of former players and those within the game who are of the opinion that, while the former Molde manager is the man at the helm, the team will never escape the boom-and-bust cycle that has typified his almost three years in charge.

United have the habit of going on a strong run whenever the head of the manager is on the line, and when all hopes are on them to win based on form and the quality of opposition, they fall flat with reckless abandon.

Ole's tactical intelligence has been questioned from time to time especially with game management, but with Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane now in the squad, will he go one better than last season or collapse when the stakes are high again?

The advantage Solksjaer has over the trio of David Moyes, Louis Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho is the fact that he’s a club legend, one that understands the club and grew through the ranks at Old Trafford, he however knows the standard and anything short of it will be unacceptable.

While he enjoys the Class of 92 sentiments, some former players are beginning to grow weary of the on and off situation, the consistency you need to go all the way and land the title is lacking at Manchester United and with the type of reinforcements they did over the summer, no excuse will be tenable this time.

From where Solksjaer took over from, there’s a significant progress, but the yardstick of measurement for any Manchester United manager isn’t only vibes and runner up positions, titles and European dominance is the ultimate barometer, will Solksjaer come through with some?

There will always be comparisons, while the friends of the manager will point at some other managers in the league, naysayers will point at Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel, some will even tell you Mikel Arteta has won a trophy as Arsenal manager despite their turmoils, can Solksjaer attain the heights of the City, Liverpool and Chelsea bosses in the nearest future?

Villareal is next at Old Trafford, United lost to Young Boys in the shocking manner and sit bottom of their champions league group, they have crashed out of the league cup and lost over the weekend in the league, the chips are down now and if you have been following, you’ll expect United to win the next few games and convincingly too… It’s a bust and boom cycle.

Now the question is: will United come of age and win titles under Solksjaer or will he continue the vicious cycle of bust and boom?