Solskjaer: I know Man Utd's DNA
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E-mail Xinhua, February 6, 2019
Manchester United's DNA is what has allowed them to make a dramatic turnaround to their season since the arrival of former striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the club.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Tuesday, Solskjaer explained that understanding what Manchester United means as a club in terms of style and identity and trusting the players to understand as well, has been vital to his success.
In theory the former striker is only in charge at the club until the end of the current season, but after leading United to nine wins from 10 games, there are many who would like to see him make his temporary move from Norwegian side, Molde, permanent.
"It's all that I hoped for and expected really. And a little bit more," said Solskjaer in an interview with Sky Sports, although he admitted it was hard work.
"Now I understand why the gaffer (Sir Alex Ferguson) used to be in so early," he joked.
The Norwegian's success contrasts sharply with his first experience as a first team coach in the Premier League was a disappointing spell with Cardiff City which saw him lose 12 out of 18 games in charge.
"It wasn't the right decision, to be fair, but you live and you learn," he said of his spell at Cardiff, highlighting that returning to Old Trafford, where he had coached the reserves, was totally different.
"I know the culture and identity of the club and the playing style. Manchester United, of course, suits me a lot more than a club that struggles towards the bottom of the table. I wasn't ready for that fight," explained Solskjaer.
Under his guidance a United side that looked sluggish and defensive under Mourinho now looks sharp, aggressive and dangerous and most of all the players seem to be enjoying themselves once again. The coach says the change is down to them being having freedom to perform.
"My belief is to trust players and to trust them to play the right way. To try to dominate teams, to try to win games the right way. To play the way that we do now with Manchester United," he said.
"It is easier here because I know what the DNA and identity of Manchester United is and what a Manchester United player is," he explained, adding the players at Old Trafford have a "winning identity… It's a confident identity. We want to take risks. We want to go for the second, the third and the fourth goal because that's just how we do things at Manchester United. If you can't handle that then you are at the wrong club."
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