The stark differences between José and Solskjæer
Within 4 games of being Manchester United manager, interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjæer has somewhat made improvements to lift the gloomy and negative mood during the Mourinho era. In the space of 5 games, Manchester United won 5, scored 16, and conceded 3.
Pogba is the central piece, picking up 4 goals in 2 games, with Rashford starting to once again show his talent and potential. Even Nemanja Matic, one of José’s supposed “warriors”, has started playing better, playing more forward passes than anyone else in the midfield. While the players are brimming with confidence and the fans once again looking forward to the next game, the differences between Mourinho and Solskjæer are stark.
Man management
While Mourinho is flirtatious with the media, his relationship with them is a double edged sword. While at times he can be charismatic and charming with his comments (when winning), he can also be controversial and extreme, occasionally calling out players publicly and even the board. And because of that, the media have portrayed a negative connotation of Mourinho. A man who once won it all now reduced to a bemoaning figure and still believes that he wears the crown that he once wore.
During José last press conferences, he would remain glum, unhappy, bemoaning about the lack of a world-class defender at United. While he’s not wrong about United needing another defender, there are ways about going about the job, and expressing your issues publicly with the media. Instead of thinking, “Wow I’m at Manchester United, look at all these players and the quality I have”, he thinks about, “Look at this shit I have to put up with, no Drogba, no Lampard, no Terry.” While complaining about the players he had may prove his ambition to win everything, it also proves that he doesn’t possess the same element that he did when he won the Champions League with Porto. Managers aren’t there to complain and ask for more funds, but are there to work with what they have and make the most of it. By rewarding his players based on loyalty rather than merit, it’s clear that he wasn’t making the most of what he had.
Furthermore, when questioned about the media about some of his decisions, he would always remind them of his trophies, which is something someone great wouldn’t do. As a manager, your respect needs to be earned and not demanded, and it’s clear that’s a conflict that Mourinho faces wherever he goes. The same can probably be said with his relationship with the players. With continuous rumours of bust-ups with Paul Pogba and the Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia liking an Instagram post that said “José out”, the players weren’t really behind him. While the players should be motivated no matter what (they’re playing for Manchester United), it was evident that José had to demand his respect rather than earn it. Were the players wanting to play defensive-disciplined football? Did the players REALLY want to give 100% every week?
It’s a different story with Ole, entering every press conference full of praise with the quality of players he has and saying whatever he needs to say to please the fans and the players. While Mourinho spoke from the experience of winning trophies, Ole speaks from the experience of playing from the club. Mourinho always spoke about exploiting the opponent’s weakness, whereas Ole speaks about bringing the game to the other team, and where perhaps that’s the main contrast. Instead of publicly calling out his players, Ole publicly praises his player, relishing every opportunity. With Ole, respect isn’t demanded but rather earned, after all it’s not hard to have respect for someone who won the Champions League for Manchester United in 1999, the treble-winning season.
Tactics
While Mourinho is a better manager and is more successful, Mourinho tried to bring a pragmatic style of play, and an underdog mentality to Manchester United, something that the club had never experienced before. With Mourinho, the case has always been; “if it works, why change?” His formula of winning titles has worked in the past, but the failure to see the way the Premier League game changed in the space of the past 2 years is what ultimately cost him his job. In his last game against Liverpool, he decided to keep it tight at the back (which didn’t work), but also failed to seriously threaten Liverpool due to the lack of link-up play, as seen by the passing map. The sense of directness as seen with the long ball from De Gea to Lukaku proves that Mourinho plays a way that Manchester United don’t want to play. Mourinho wants to counter attack and nick a victory, whereas with Manchester United it’s about controlling the game and taking the game to the other team.
While Liverpool is a far superior opponent than Newcastle, the positioning of the players and passing network is far different. The play is no longer reliant on De Gea hoofing it long to Lukaku, there’s more link-up play in the midfield, and Paul Pogba was playing in a more advanced role, something of which he’s been wanting to do for a while. Yet, the issue of the right flank still remains. Manchester United’s play mainly comes from the left side, with only 18% of their play coming from the right flank, with Juan Mata (the supposed right-winger) tucking in as a #10, and Antonio Valencia being very limited going forward and attacking. Evidently, this means that Manchester United remain vulnerable on the right flank when the opposing team are attacking, and lack attacking creativity all over the pitch, which further highlights the Red Devil’s need for a right winger, as well as needing a centre back.
Moving on from their set-piece troubles, United’s pressing under Solskjær has been another change from their approach under Mourinho. Under the Portuguese coach, United were generally quite passive against the ball — even more so when leading. It was not rare for United to allow the opponent to have possession and only pressure them once they crossed the halfway line.
Under Solskjær, the counterpressing is much more intense and focused, resulting in less time spent in organized defensive phases. But against the opponent’s organized buildup, they are also more aggressive, looking to engage the opponents earlier and win the ball higher up the pitch.
Whereas Mourinho’s pressing system is dropping back until they reach the final third, Solskjær’s pressing system is all about ball retention and then exploiting with the pace on the flanks. With players like Paul Pogba who can pick out a pass and players like Martial who are very clinical going forward, Solskjær’s pressing system allows Manchester United to be more menacing going forward.
While Manchester United face Spurs at the Wembley this Sunday for what will be their first big test, the style of football and the morale at the club has changed. Players are no longer played based on loyalty, players are enjoying the football they’re playing, and so are the fans. While the result against Spurs will strongly determine the Red Devil’s credentials for securing a top 4 finish, things have changed at Manchester United.
