For almost two years, a question has formed part of the conversation. Sometimes fine form has demoted it to a subplot. At others, it is thrust forward and, <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/champions-league-manchester-united-crash-out-after-defeat-1.1125169">following the Champions League exit</a> that represents the gravest failure of his time at the helm, this is one of them: is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer good enough to be Manchester United manager? The Norwegian retains the backing of the club’s board. And yet his pedigree was in doubt before dubious team selections and a bizarre refusal to substitute Fred, when the Brazilian was a red card waiting to happen last week, culminated in demotion to the Europa League. The recently announced regulations for a post-Brexit footballing world revealed that Solskjaer would not have qualified for a work permit to manage United; the Norwegian league is ranked too lowly for his feats with Molde to count. And yet the paradox in Solskjaer’s management is that the man many deem an overpromoted caretaker has recorded victories – often multiple wins – against many more highly-rated managers: Carlo Ancelotti, Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Unai Emery, Julian Nagelsmann and Jose Mourinho among them. Last year, he did something only Jurgen Klopp had previously accomplished: he beat Pep Guardiola three times in a season. And so to a reunion on Saturday between the double Norwegian league winner and the double Champions League winner. A Manchester derby with a difference will be a rare one without fans. The lack of a crowd is a reason Solskjaer has submitted to explain United’s miserable home form, with a solitary league win at Old Trafford and, apart from Bruno Fernandes’ penalties, a lone goal. Yet there are underlying factors. While Solskjaer changes systems – mistakenly in Leipzig on Tuesday – United’s tactics make them reliant on the counter-attack, which in turn can render them at their most dangerous on the road or against sides with an ambitious ethos. Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Chelsea all denied United the chance to counter-attack; Tottenham picked off a shambolic, 10-man side to win 6-1. Illogical as it sounds, City could be ideal opponents. United’s two league wins last season came with 28 and 27 percent of possession but with such speed on the break that Anthony Martial scored in both matches. And yet it is nevertheless notable that City’s lone derby victory in 2019/20 came at Old Trafford and in emphatic fashion. A 3-1 Carabao Cup semi-final triumph came with no striker, Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva excelling as false nines as City bemused United with their movement. It has a particular pertinence this week. Leipzig did not use an out-and-out striker against United’s three centre-backs on Tuesday. Like City, they had numerical superiority in midfield instead. City’s most potent striker made a goalscoring return against Marseille on Wednesday but Guardiola was quick to say that Sergio Aguero will not start the derby. In any event, his last goal at Old Trafford came in 2015. City have four subsequent wins at Old Trafford, none featuring a goal by a centre-forward. Ederson endured a traumatic time on his last trip to Old Trafford but City, boasting five consecutive clean sheets and after conceding a mere six goals in 15 games, ought to afford him better protection now. A rejuvenated John Stones should start in defence and, while midfielder Ilkay Gundogan’s ankle problem requires assessing, the major decisions rest with Solskjaer. Restoring Paul Pogba would be contentious, given his evident desire to leave, but the Frenchman was a catalyst in his cameo in Germany. United are waiting on the fitness of Martial and Edinson Cavani, but the most scrutiny will be on Solskjaer as he seeks to confound expectations again and upset another more decorated manager.
