Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's real Man United audition starts against Chelsea

Matt Jones - Editor 15:57 16/02/2019
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  • Chelsea host Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Monday night in a repeat of last year’s final.

    A 1-0 win at Wembley brought the Blues an eighth crown last May and was almost the beginning of the end for Jose Mourinho.

    Since then, Maurizio Sarri has replaced Antonio Conte at the Blues – who have suffered both highs and lows during his brief reign.

    United, meanwhile, are surging – ignoring the 2-0 midweek defeat to Paris Saint-Germain – under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has restored enjoyment to the United players and delivered excitement and hope back to the fans.

    Both sides are battling for the top four in the Premier League, but on Monday the only thing on their minds will be FA Cup glory.

    We look ahead to the game and analyse the talking points.

    SOLSKJAER’S REAL AUDITION BEGINS

    Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg

    Whatever happens in the next month shouldn’t define Solskjaer’s stint at United, but it will be intriguing to see how the interim boss bounces back from his first defeat.

    The Norwegian has soared beyond all expectations at the helm so far. Not only has 10 wins in his first 11 games prior to Tuesday shifted the mood entirely around Old Trafford, but wins over Arsenal and Spurs also showed that he certainly has the acumen to manage the team long term.

    Now that the first defeat has come, however, this is when we will see how steely Solskjaer can be. The loss to PSG came at arguably the worst time as the fixtures hardly get easier with Chelsea up next in a competition that is the club’s most realistic hope of success, with Liverpool heading down the East Lancs Road to Old Trafford next weekend.

    The return leg in Paris as well as a trip across Manchester to face City and a home game with Arsenal all then come in a nine-day span in early March. How’s that for pressure.

    No, the next month shouldn’t define the Solskjaer reign, but it will play an awfully big role in his audition to land the manager’s job full time all the same.

    CHELSEA ARE ALSO FEELING BLUE

    Manchester City v Chelsea FC - Premier League

    United kicked off an intimidating month of games disappointingly on Tuesday as they were comprehensively outplayed by PSG in the second half. The honeymoon period for Solskjaer is definitely over following a maiden defeat, while Chelsea, Liverpool, PSG again, Arsenal and Manchester City await in United’s next seven games.

    But, although it is sure to be a testing time for the Norwegian and this new-look United, it shouldn’t be ignored that the fifth round tie comes at a crucial time for the hosts too.

    As well as preparing for United, Sarri and his players will have one eye on the return game against Malmo in the Europa League next Thursday, with the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City next Sunday even more of a pressing concern.

    They also welcome Tottenham to the Bridge before the month is out, so the pressure is mounting.

    Not only is the fixture list piling the heat on, but Sarri is also on the ropes following a poor run of form that was only halted by the unconvincing 2-1 win over Malmo in their last 32 first-leg on Thursday.

    Chelsea have lost three of their last four league games. The Blues have been blitzed, losing 6-0 and 4-0 to City and Bouremouth respectively, as well as 2-0 at the Emirates.

    It should also be noted that United will have had two more days’ preparation time for the game.

    Chelsea will hope to pick at the wound from the initial blow dealt to Solskjaer’s reign by PSG, but Sarri’s side are also a bit of a patched-up unit at the moment.

    WHAT’S CHONG WITH GIVING YOUTH A CHANCE?

    Tahith Chong is seen as an exciting talent at United.

    Tahith Chong is seen as an exciting talent at United.

    With the PSG defeat kicking off a crucial period of fixtures, it might not be the best time for experimentation from Solskjaer – but he may have no choice.

    The Norwegian confirmed on Friday that injuries to Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard on Tuesday will leave both players on the sidelines for a few weeks and rule them out of the trip to Chelsea and next weekend’s Premier League blockbuster with Liverpool.

    This will almost certainly mean starts for Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez at Stamford Bridge, but in the larger sense it is also likely to push the door ajar for some of the younger stars to possibly shine from the bench.

    Mason Greenwood is a bright young talent and it seems odd given his stellar form – 22 goals scored in 23 games at youth level this season – that the 17-year-old hasn’t featured in a Solskjaer squad yet.

    A cruel twist of fate has seen injury ruke the teenager out for the next two weeks but two fellow academy starlets could make the matchday squad.

    Solskjaer hinted exciting young forwards Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong might well be involved against the Blues – with the two teenagers regular fixtures in the youth ranks at United, and exciting attacking options.

    Gomes, 18, became the youngest player to represent United since Duncan Edwards in 1953 when he made his debut on the final day of the 2016/17 season by replacing Wayne Rooney in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. The attacking midfielder made his FA Cup bow the following year and came off the bench in the 3-1 Boxing Day win over Huddersfield this season.

    Dutch U21 international Chong, 19, made his Red Devils debut when he emerged off the bench as United overcame Reading in the third round.

    Whether they feature in west London or not, injury means these two, as well as Greenwood, could get a chance in the coming weeks.

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