Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of Manchester United (PA Images)
Can Ole Gunnar Solskjaer prove he is the man to take United back to the top? Get our Manchester United betting tips and the latest MUFC betting specials here.
This is a season of rebuilding and transition for Manchester United in which stability is the key, plus the need to identify a clear playing style truer to the club’s traditions after the drudgery under the three previous managers since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
It would be pointless expecting the Red Devils to become champions after finishing 32 points behind their neighbours Manchester City last term and a return to the top four, which would yield Champions League football, is a more achievable immediate target.
Manchester United Betting Specials
To win the league – 500/1
To win the Europa League – 11/2
To win the FA Cup – 14/1
To win the Carabao Cup – 40/1
To finish in the top four – 3/1
To be relegated – 500/1
Marcus Rashford to be top Premier League goalscorer – 14/1
Marcus Rashford to be PFA Player of the Season – 66/1
A season of three different thirds is the best way to describe it. United were generally poor until Jose Mourinho was sacked just before Christmas, improved massively when Solskjaer was appointed as his temporary replacement – and then went downhill again when the Norwegian got the job on a permanent basis!
It is hard to escape the theory that the swings in momentum and peaks and troughs were psychological among the players. But ultimately, for the lows, United still only just missed out on the top four despite having to settle for a place in the Europa League.
The Manager
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has only previously managed Cardiff City and Molde, with varying success, but he spent 15 years at United as a player and coach, being mentored by Sir Alex Ferguson which should stand him in good stead.
He is an upbeat, positive manager who likes his teams to play attacking football and prefers to rule by the carrot as opposed to the stick, which makes him a complete contrast to his predecessors Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal.
The New Arrivals
Although it was reported there would be major changes to the United squad during the summer, only three new players arrived – young winger Dan James from Swansea City, impressive right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace and finally the marquee signing, £80million world-record transfer-fee defender Harry Maguire.
After a first half of the season in which the Red Devils continually made two steps forward only to take one back, it was clear that further reinforcements would be needed during the January transfer window. But would the Old Trafford purse strings be loosened to allow Solskjaer to further boost his squad in the aim of ending the campaign on a high?
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea during a Europa League match (PA Images)
One of the main reasons why United ended last season badly was a series of errors by their usually ultra-reliable goalkeeper David De Gea, possibly because he was distracted by whether or not to sign a new contract with the club.
It’s no coincidence the Spaniard has dominated United’s Player of the Year award in recent times and now that he has signed a new deal through to 2023, his performances will be vitally important in lifting the Red Devils back up the table.
Do United need to implement a clearer plan for the future?
Unquestionably. Firstly, having made such a radical managerial appointment in Solskjaer – who would have predicted that before December 2018? – they have to back him financially and allow him to make the changes he has in mind for the structure of the club’s playing side.
Much has been discussed about bringing in a Director of Football and the necessity for that will be indicated by the make-up of Solskjaer’s squad when all the transfer windows have closed – will they look stronger than at the end of last season?
How can Solskjaer sure up the Red Devils backline?
Defending was the area where United failed most last season and it was only partly De Gea’s fault – he cannot have been too confident in those whose job it is to protect him.
But steps have been taken to resolve that. Wan-Bissaka looks an excellent new recruit and with Maguire brought in to play alongside Victor Lindelof, they should be much more solid.
Where will Manchester United finish this season?
5th.
With Liverpool, Leicester and Manchester City so far ahead of the rest, it looks a fight for fourth place between the next bunch. United, who were second two seasons ago, will think they can take the final Champions League qualification spot.
However, there are just too many question marks about them until they can produce the superb form they showed after Solskjaer’s arrival for more than just a couple of months. Therefore, we see them missing out on the Champions League once more.
Two fairly inexperienced managers are at Manchester United and Chelsea this season but we expect Solskjaer to have the edge over Frank Lampard – albeit both may well miss out on their primary objective of finishing in the top four.
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Manchester United Tips & Betting Specials 2019/2020
Can Ole Gunnar Solskjaer prove he’s the man to take United back to the top? Get our Manchester United betting tips and the latest MUFC betting specials here.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of Manchester United (PA Images)
