The former Red Devils striker is pleased to see a coach working under the most intense pressure proving that he can deliver on expectations
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made Manchester United “his team”, says Mark Hughes, with a man working under intense pressure at Old Trafford proving that patience can be rewarded in the most demanding of roles.
Questions have been asked of a Norwegian tactician throughout his time in the Red Devils hot-seat, with a lack of coaching experience at the highest level used by some as a stick to prod him with.
Solskjaer has, however, turned a deaf ear to his detractors and kept focus locked on progress through what was always going to be a long-term rebuilding project.
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Some shrewd transfer business, such as Bruno Fernades, and a welcome return to form for key men, with Paul Pogba slipping into that category, has allowed United to make their way to the top of the Premier League table.
They are also pursuing major silverware down FA Cup and Europa League avenues, with a knockout clash with arch-rivals Liverpool – who have been struggling of late – next on the agenda.
Former Red Devils frontman Hughes is pleased to see Solskjaer delivering on expectation in Manchester, with a sleeping giant daring to dream of replicating the success once enjoyed under Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Ole has done a good job,” Hughes told talkSPORT.
“There’s a lot of pressure on him this year, but you’ve got to allow people to do their job and give them time to make their mark.
“He’s got to a point now where it’s his team, he’s forming a side that looks more like a Man Utd side should.
“It seems they’ve got this mentality of being more together, which hasn’t been the case in recent times.
“Now they’re in good confidence, and even if they have setbacks in games they’ve been able to turn things around, and that’s a great trait to have in a top team.
“And you talk about confidence, clearly a number of the elements within Liverpool’s team are not functioning.
“Namely the front three, who have been absolutely magnificent in recent times, and in the full-back areas which is a huge part of Liverpool’s play, maybe that’s not functioning as well.
“So you’re talking about five or six positions there that aren’t at the best of their ability in terms of form, and when that happens, it doesn’t matter if you’re Liverpool or anybody else, it’s going to affect your ability to win games.
“They’ve just got to get more confidence, and the problem for Liverpool this weekend is they’re going up against a United side that looks like they’re building confidence, while Liverpool look low on it.”
United will welcome Jurgen Klopp’s side to Old Trafford for an FA Cup fourth-round clash on Sunday.
