From the combative Roy Keane to the glamorous David Beckham and the trickery of George Best, Manchester United's heroes have all come with standout traits.
But breaking the mould is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the modest Norwegian who is doing wonders at Old Trafford in an unflashy manner, without donning a cape nor being a force of personality, according to former teammate Dwight Yorke.
"Ole's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet in football. He doesn't give you any drama, he just gets on with his job, he's totally professional in what he does," the 47-year-old ex-Trinidad and Tobago international striker said yesterday in reply to The Straits Times' question on whether Solskjaer's managerial brilliance was evident during his playing days.
"I just didn't see him at this level.
"Like everything else, you need a little luck and fortune and he got that. You got to grasp these opportunities. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him."
Yorke was speaking on the sidelines at the launch of this year's International Champions Cup (ICC) Singapore at the Incubator, near the Padang.
On July 20, the Red Devils will take on Inter Milan and a day later, Juventus will meet Tottenham Hotspur.
British media has reported that Solskjaer is set for a permanent deal at Old Trafford this week and Yorke certainly believes the former striker is the right man to take United forward.
Â
Â
Â
Â
He said: "He has done a remarkable job, there is no question about that. The doubters who think that he wasn't capable of doing a job can pretty much eat their words now.
"May he continue to take the team forward. He's looking good, he's got the players playing with the passion and desire that we expect of a Man United player. That will be the case going forward."
Since Solskjaer took over on Dec 19 after Jose Mourinho's sacking, not only had he restored the team's competitive edge and playing style, he had also done so while smashing records.
He had won 14 out of 19 games, became the first United manager to win his first eight matches, surpassing Matt Busby's five, won a club record of nine consecutive away games and, by dumping Paris Saint-Germain out of the Champions League last 16, they became the first team in the tournament's history to advance after losing the first leg at home by two goals or more.
The key to the Red Devils' surge in form has been the caretaker's perceptive man-management skills, said Yorke.
He added: "I always think we have exceptional young players but these young players were not given the licence to express themselves, and expression is a word you associate a lot with Man United.
"When you just look at the talent that we have, nothing has changed.
"Our attackers (Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial) are as good as any other in the Premier League.
"It's about expressing themselves and exposing their talent. They have managed to do that under Ole."
Come July 20, Singapore fans will get the chance to watch the Red Devils express themselves, and fittingly, hear the classic chant "ole, ole" reverberate in the National Stadium.
Rafael Benítez fumes after Wolves deny Newcastle with stoppage-time equaliser says Benitez (Sky Sports) Rafael Benítez must hate it when the fourth official holds up the board for added time
Rafael Benítez fumes after Wolves deny Newcastle with
Having made his debut in 2016, Hibernian striker Maclaren netted his first Socceroos goal thanks to a deft header. Rogic's left-wing cross had plenty of pace on it and Maclaren, with his back to goal, helped it on its way into the far corner beyond Rami Hamada. Shot-shy Palestine lack creative edge
AFC Asian Cup 2019: Palestine 0 Australia 3: Maclaren and
Solskjaer 'confident' of Manchester United miracle in Paris Solskjaer's side will be aiming to overturn a 2-0 deficit at PSG in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday. Share Via Email
Premier League » News » Solskjaer 'confident' of Man Utd
Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar on Sunday left the door open for a potential move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. The world's most expensive footballer is currently recovering from a foot injury which he suffered on January 23 and has been linked with a return to La Liga ever since joining PSG from
Neymar hints at joining Real Madrid - rappler.com
PORTO (REUTERS) - Porto converted a penalty awarded following a VAR review three minutes from the end of extra time to beat AS Roma 3-1 and reach the Champions League quarter-finals after an epic
Porto go through with extra time VAR penalty - The Huffington
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes Sport > Football > Racism > Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes By 24matins.uk with AFP, published 28 March 2019 at 15h53 BST , updated on 28 March 2019 at 15h54 BST .
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes - World Soccer
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/03/28/kane-proud-of-england-response-to-race-jibes/
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes AFP March 28, 2019 AFP No Comments London (AFP) - Harry Kane spoke Thursday of his pride at how his teammates dealt with being racially abused in Montenegro as he collected an award for "services to football" after leading England to the World Cup semi-finals.
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes | Sport24
Qatar boss Felix Sanchez says his side must operate on a game-by-game basis after a 6-0 win over North Korea secured progression to the AFC Asian Cup last 16. Almoez Ali scored four as Qatar put in a rampant display on Sunday to move top of Group E, and will now take on Saudi Arabia to decide who claims pole position.
Football: Solskjaer maintains perfect start as Man United beat Reading in FA Cup Manchester United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with Phil Jones after the match. PHOTO: REUTERS
Solskjaer maintains perfect start as United win FA Cup tie
Real Madrid have been aided by two penalties in their 2-1 Spanish La Liga win at Levante, which left them nine points behind leaders Barcelona. Bale penalty gives below-par Real Liga win Home
Gareth Bale penalty gives below-par Real Madrid win at Levante
Emery wary of Valencia's recovery potential in 2nd leg. Ex-Barca great Xavi to go into coaching. Landmark decision opens 'Pandora's box' premium. Semenya victimised, vilified for who she is.
Unai Emery insists Arsenal will attack Valencia in second leg
Youth Group Lesson on Faith. DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS LESSON. Bottom Line: Use this lesson with your youth group, student ministry, youth ministry or youth sunday school class to teach "trusting the voice".
The Priorities, Challenges, and Trends in Youth Ministry
Home Sports 'He's great to watch, but he's not God': Pope sets fans straight Sports 'He's great to watch, but he's not God': Pope sets fans straight on Messi
'He's great to watch, but he's not God' - Pope sets fans
Tottenham's Kane has been ready to play for 10 days - Pochettino "Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in the world and of course for a team like us it's a massive impact to have him
Tottenham's Kane has been ready to play for 10 days - Pochettino
global.espn.com/football/tottenham-hotspur/story/3780850/tottenhams-kane-has-been-ready-to-play-for-10-days-pochettino
"I hope he will be a massive boost for us," Pochettino told a news conference. "Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in the world and of course for a team like us it's a massive impact to have him available. I'm so happy to have all the players, but we can't hide that he's one of the best strikers in the world." Editor's Picks
Tottenham vs Liverpool Betting Tips: Kane to return with a
0 comments:
Post a Comment