Liverpool old boy dismisses ‘Man Utd way’, says Solskjaer must copy Klopp
John Barnes says the “Manchester United way” does not exist anymore and thinks Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should copy Jurgen Klopp.
Solskjaer, who says anything can happen this season, has eased the early-season pressure on him after two Champions League wins over PSG and RB Leipzig.
The Norwegian was beginning to feel the heat, culminating after the 6-1 home defeat to Spurs.
Back-to-back wins, and two good performances in Europe has alleviated the pressure, but the former United super-sub does tend to go from crisis to crisis at Old Trafford.
Barnes thinks it’s time for Solskjaer to “stamp his own authority” on United and stop living in the past.
“He [Solskjaer] likes to talk about the old Manchester United way, which doesn’t exist anymore and you can’t go back,” Barnes told Premier League Productions.
“Liverpool fans were accused of living in the past, by Manchester United fans, when the dynasty ended and when any manager came in they were under pressure, this is what the Liverpool way is.
“Managers in the past were under pressure to recreate that. Manchester United are doing the same thing since Fergie left.
“When Van Gaal came, who had won the Champions League and was a great manager, they should have said what do you want to do, forget about two wingers and how we play, but he wasn’t allowed to do that. Mourinho the same thing.
“When Ole came, he wanted to get back to that. But you have to stamp your authority and own philosophy, which is what Jurgen Klopp has done.
“Forget about what Liverpool did, this is what I’m going to do and players go along with it.
“I’m not sure what his [Solskjaer’s] philosophy is, I think the players drive how Manchester United are going to play.”
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Redknapp rates Ole
Meanwhile, Jamie Redknapp thinks Manchester United are “nowhere near” the position they should be, despite Solskjaer feeling like “a new Alex Ferguson” at first.
Solskjaer will take charge of his 100th game as United manager on Sunday, when they face Arsenal. He is approaching the second anniversary of his appointment, initially as interim manager.
Solskjaer made a great start to his time in charge, which earned him the permanent role. However, in the months since then, the club have endured mixed fortunes.
For example, they were knocked out in the semi-finals of all three cup competitions they played in last season. It perhaps best sums up how they have made progress, but are still lacking something to make that final leap back to the glory days Solskjaer was part of as a player.
Ahead of Solskjaer’s landmark day, Sky Sports pundit Redknapp has reflected on the job the Norwegian has done at Old Trafford.