Manchester United have endured a difficult start to the season, with the 5-0 defeat against Liverpool the clear low point so far. The result left manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s future in the balance but a somewhat successful recovery attempt has been made since that dark afternoon at Old Trafford.
A comfortable 3-0 win over Tottenham followed the next week, with a 2-2 draw at Atalanta almost certainly ensuring Solskjaer’s side a place in the next phase of the Champions League.
Scrutiny is, however, at an all-time high for Solskjaer and his talismanic figure in midfield, Bruno Fernandes, is the latest to praise the Norwegian for his impact on the club since he took over in 2018.
🗣"We're still dropping points at home and it's not good enough but it's not only the coaches fault."
Bruno Fernandes expresses how Manchester United were the closest team to fight against Manchester City last season and has Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's back pic.twitter.com/2bHHwMVlnM
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 5, 2021
Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports/Football Daily
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“We get to the second place last season,” Fernandes told Football Daily, as seen above. “No one was expecting to do a really good season as we did. It was not as good as we want but it was good overall, after what everything was thinking.
“No one was expecting us, top four probably but not second place and the closest ones to fight with City. For me, he’s doing a really good job and it’s been a big improvement on the team since he arrived.
“We’re still dropping points at home and it’s not good enough and we know that but it’s not only the coach’s fault.”
SN’s verdict on Fernandes’ comments…
Any real Manchester United supporters would admit that the dream scenario is for Solskjaer to be successful at Manchester United. The Norwegian is absolutely adored by the supporters and the home crowd’s affection for him is there for anyone to see on any given matchday.
The last couple of months have, however, swayed some fans into doubt over Solskjaer’s capabilities as a manager but the club’s handling of the situation has been superb. They didn’t panic when there were calls for the manager to be sacked and hopefully they will be vindicated in their decision for sticking with their man.
Fernandes was brought to United by Solskjaer and the Portuguese midfielder’s impact is largely down to the manager, despite his extraordinary quality on the pitch.
It goes without saying but Fernandes has Solskjaer to thank for a large portion of his success and his comments reflect that gratitude.
