Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did his best impression of Han Solo tonight: “never tell me the odds, kid!” Betfair gave PSG a 1/200 chance of qualifying for the quarterfinals, Manchester United 16/1. Google projected the 3-1 road victors tonight at the Parc Des Princes with only a 15% chance of winning coming in.
No team had ever overcome a 2-0 deficit at home to win the road leg and thus the tie in UEFA Champions League history, until Solskjaer achieved it tonight. And he did with a squad ravaged by injury.
https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks/status/1103413996533764096
There were so many injured Red Devils tonight that Solskjaer was forced to put a couple youth players on the pitch at the end. Tonight was the night that Solskjaer truly became United manager.
It’s now time for United to officially remove the “interim” label off the Norweigan’s job title. Said Romelu Lukaku who bagged a brace in the match tonight on this topic:
“I think it has been decided. I think he is going to get it, he should get it – what else does he have to do?”
https://twitter.com/utdxtra/status/1103437160387149826
With his now having won 14 of the 17 games that he’s been in charge, and his guiding the club back into the top four (at least for the time being) and into the UCL quarterfinals, he has to at least be the primary, if not the only candidate to have the gig next season.
You also have the public endorsement from forward Anthony Martial, who said his statement was indicative of the sentiment among the other players too; plus the fact that Solskjaer has been included in club marketing promos for next season.
For what it’s worth, Molde (the team he is, but perhaps now was) contracted to have also made it clear that the Norwegian has their blessing to not return, and instead stay in Manchester beyond the rest of the season.
When it comes to it though, his contractual situation in Molde won’t be a major sticking point. MUFC just need to do what’s obvious- give Solskjaer the permanent gig. No need to overthink this.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.