Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw off his predecessor Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford this week before dropping a hint about his best Manchester United team.
BBC’s Simon Stone quoted Solskjaer on Twitter saying that the team he played against Chelsea – likely on the opening game of the season – was his best team.
Moreover, he lamented that’s the only time he’s been able to play that team.
There’s always the chance that Solskjaer was referring to the fact he was able to pick from a fully fit squad, rather than referring to the exact starting 11.
But if Solskjaer did mean that Chelsea starting eleven was his best team, who’s in and who’s out?
Who’s in?
David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire faced the Blues and are unsurprising picks in the best team.
Victor Lindelof looks to be the man Solskjaer wants to partner Maguire, which would explain why he has stuck by him despite a dip in form from last season.
Luke Shaw rounded off the back four, but it would be a surprise if he was still seen as United’s best left back now. Perhaps Solskjaer still has faith he will get back to his best.
Paul Pogba’s best position has always been a point of contention, but Solskjaer seemingly views it as partnering Scott McTominay in deep midfield, with a number ten ahead of him.
Andreas Pereira played that role, with Jesse Lingard on the right. Many fans might dispute their places, but not those of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial completing the side.
Who’s out?
Youngsters Brandon Williams and Axel Tuanzebe have had impressive seasons, but are not yet bona fide regulars.
Fred has been better than his compatriot Pereira lately, and putting him in the side would liberate Pogba to play higher up the pitch.
Dan James was used as an impact sub against the Blues – completing the scoring. Many might have expected that to be his role this season, and perhaps Solskjaer’s comments hint that was his plan.
James’ form has been far superior to Lingard’s or Pereira’s and that has forced him into Solskjaer’s teams, but it might be that the manager wanted to keep him as a game changer from the bench.
Mason Greenwood added another dimension to United’s attack last night, but Martial is the man Solskjaer has hung his hat on to lead the line this season.
Maybe if Solskjaer had been able to keep what he viewed as his best team together for a longer period, relationships and patterns could have been built and United would be further ahead in their progression now.
Injuries have caused problems all season, and that’s the danger when key areas of the squad lack depth. It gets exposed quickly over the course of a busy season. Martial’s injury was a sign that misfortune can strike at any moment, and probably will do again.
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