Solskjaer to Manage Norwegian Club Molde

By Matt Scott 
Manchester United hero, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is on the verge of becoming the new manager of Norwegian club Molde.

Molde, the club that Solskjaer played for before Sir Alex Ferguson plucked him from obscurity and brought him to Old Trafford, have failed on two previous occasions in their bid to bring the 37-year-old back to the club.

Solskjaer was reluctant to leave Manchester United even as a player, despite being used mainly as an impact sub. Since hanging up his boots, the former striker has enjoyed success as Reserve Team manager under Sir Alex’s stewardship. He clinched both the Northern Champions and Play-Off Final Trophy in the Premier Reserve League last season.

However, now it looks as if Solskjaer will finally be moving on after Molde’s Chairman, Erik Berg said, ‘It’s no secret we have worked intensely to get Ole Gunnar but we have not signed a contract yet. I can’t guarantee a press conference next week but to put it this way, I will be delighted to welcome him back.’

Solskjaer, nicknamed by the fans as the baby-faced assassin, has made it public knowledge that one day he wants to be manager of the Manchester United first team and as such, must see the move to Molde as a means of gaining valuable experience.

If Solskjaer does leave then, reportedly, Gary Neville is set to be named the new Reserve Team manager. This gives a strong indication that when his current contract expires at the end of the season, he is set to retire and move into coaching.

During Solskjaer’s 14-year association with the Red Devils he scored 91 goals, none more important or memorable than his 1999 Champions League Final winning goal, which also clinched the Treble for United. His professionalism and selfless attitude during his playing days helped cemented his place in the heart of many Manchester United’s fans as well as the club’s history books.

Has the Premier League Already been Decided?

Is this already inevitable for another year?  Image Credit Flickr User sonyds

By Matt Scott 
Chelsea are holding strong at the top of the table, 5 points clear of Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City, who at this stage of the season seem to be the only realistic title contenders.

However 5 points could prove to be too much, even at this early stage of the season. This is because many Premier League sides, especially those who are struggling at the bottom end of the table, go into games against title challengers expecting to lose. Their attitude is that taking a point away from one of the current top four sides is a bonus, especially if they are playing them at home.

But credit where credit is due. This is down to Chelsea’s performances this season. A 6-0 thrashing of West Brom on the opening day at Stamford Bridge, followed by another 6-0 hammering, this time away at Wigan. Chelsea have been scoring goals for fun, two against Stoke at home, three away to West Ham, four at home to Blackpool. Their only set back has been a 0-0 against Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Chelsea v Arsenal, Feb 7th 2010.In the wake of the media bitzkrieg over Terry's alleged affair with Vanessa Perroncel, fans at Stamford ridge show their support for their captain.

Their style of play and goal scoring finesse has rattled the other teams in the League. Giving them the mental edge, convincing the opposition the game is lost before they step on the pitch, it’s just a matter of damage limitation. Because of this you see teams changing formation when they play Chelsea, often to a 4-5-1, with a defensive focus. They invite Chelsea onto them, defend for their lives and hope to spring on the counter. This is not, what many deem, exciting football for the neutral to watch.

Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United centre back gives a thumbs up at their match against West Brom, Oct 16

Manchester United, who some bookmakers listed as favourites for the League before the season kicked off, have had an all together different start to the season. They have been uncharacteristically shaky and seem nervous. After a bright start to the season, a comfortable 3-0 win over, newly promoted, Newcastle United at Old Trafford, things started to go wrong. United let a 2-1 lead slip in the 89th minute against Fulham, giving Chelsea a vital two point advantage at an early stage of the season.

Then, two weeks later, two injury time goals, one from Cahill and the other from Arteta erased a 3-1 lead at Goodison Park against Everton. Chelsea were now four points ahead and the United team looked even more uncertain on the ball.

After a vital 3-2 win over Liverpool, the team travelled to the Reebok Stadium to play Bolton. Sir Alex’s side were 2-1 down with less than 25 minutes left to play, so they began throwing everything forward and luckily, Michael Owen managed to find the back of the net, with only 10 minutes remaining. The majority of fans argue that Manchester United should have gone on to win the game.

Finally and most recently, a 2-0 home advantage at half time against West Brom was over turned by two goals in 5 minutes from the visiting side. United unable to score a third in the last 35 minutes of the game, in fact, they were extremely lucky not to lose the game in the end,  with West Brom going close on several occasion.

As these teams came from behind, wiping out leads to take unexpected points, other squads were watching, thinking that if a that team could do it, why couldn’t they.

The combination of this, increasingly inconsistent defending and unexpected errors have snowballed and increased the pressure on Manchester United in a vicious and ongoing circle. This is seriously damaging the clubs title challenge and if they are to stand any chance of gaining on Chelsea it needs to be resolved, fast.

Yet, one good thing to come out of this is that, for the neutrals, Manchester United games are now the more likely games to impress and entertain. It’s doubtful that Sir Alex will see it that way though.



Image Credits
Chelsea Badge - Flickr User TheTruthAbout
Terry V Arsenal - Wikimedia
Rio Ferdinand West Brom gordonflood.com
Javier Hernandez - Gordonflood.com
Man United Logo

John O’Shea Must Think He’s Dreaming

Image Credit Wikimedia

By Matt Scott
The Sun recently revealed that Republic of Ireland international John O’Shea has signed a new £16.5million contract.

Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to tie down the remaining Manchester United players whose contracts are running out. This news comes off the back of Wayne Rooney’s new, reported, £250,000 a week contract. Patrice Evra, who has been an ever present in the United side this season, has also just recently signed a new long term £100,000 a week contract.

29-year-old O’Shea, who won’t argue against the fact that he isn’t as integral to the team as Evra or Rooney, will no doubt be delighted with his £80,000 a week deal. O’Shea, who defines the term versatile, has played all across the back four and midfield as well as a brief appearance as an emergency goalkeeper during his 12 year career at Old Trafford.

John O'Shea, Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick - Image Credit Wikimedia

The new contracts that are being offered to players are a statement of intent from the club, to let that fans know that they can still compete on a financial level with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City. David Gill, the Manchester United Chief executive said, ‘we have a policy that wages should be 50per cent or less of our turnover. We believe that we can do that and still retain and attract the starts that we need. This is a sensible model.’

It has also been suggested that Brazilian midfielder Anderson, who is yet to justify his hefty price tag, will be offered a new deal. This may come as a surprise to some fans that have seen much speculation linking Anderson with move away from Manchester. The likes of Portuguese Giants Porto and Greek side Panathinaikos have been mentioned as potential destinations.
 

Wayne Rooney Gets Back on the Old Trafford Bus

What do you do just before you sign a five year contract for £41.6m?  Apologise rather sheepishly if you are a certain Wayne Rooney who today did both.  He bowed his head and said sorry for causing offence to the fans, hurting the players’ feelings and causing Sir Alex his most recent press headache.

Then he was sent to the naughty step.  Well, not really but following this week’s events which would rival many a northern soap opera for their sheer ups and downs (hesitation, rancour, soul searching followed ultimately by compromise and resolution) Rooney should perhaps spend a minute or two there.

As U-turns go this was a fairly major one and now he is back on the Old Trafford Bus he can expect to earn £160K a week with incentives of probably another £40 or so at least.  We don’t expect he will be receiving Child Benefit for the kids when it becomes mean tested in a few years but if it was behaviour tested his mum would still be getting it.

At least Rooney, then, has something to celebrate on his 25th birthday on Sunday.  You can just imagine the metaphorical birthday feast.  Colleen forcing a smile, her parents clenching their fists and a group of fans like Tiny Tim (or at least a very fed up one) at the butcher boys window.   Not heard that one?  The police had to be called on Thursday to remove angry fans from outside chez Wayne.  To say he has one or two bridges to rebuild is to put it lightly.

Ian Holloway, the Manger of Blackpool certainly had something to say about football's authorities for allowing Wayne Rooney to manufacture his exit from the club.
 


If his contract is extended to 2015 you can only hope that the bruised feelings and hurt he has caused this week can heal before that.

Image Credit Flickr User dullhunk