The times, they are a-changing.
The tide is turning at Old Trafford. Players are happy, fans are optimistic, the tactics are positive – attacking, even.
It’s bizarre, after the past two and a half seasons under José Mourinho, quite how rapidly things have improved for Manchester United since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s appointment in early December – the interim boss made history on Sunday as he became the first United boss ever to win their first six games in charge.
Tears in the man's eyes 🔴 ⚫️ ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/6CgZMArTmc
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 14, 2019
It feels like a return to the good old days of Alex Ferguson, with the club’s philosophy restored and someone who gets it at the helm. And Solskjaer has taken a leaf out of Fergie’s book with a new rule change that he is implementing on match days: players must now wear club suits to games.
While players are still allowed to travel in their club tracksuits for comfort, when match day comes around, they are now expected to dress formally and wear the club suit.
Solskjaer demanded the same of his players at Molde, and informed the United squad of the rule during their warm-weather training camp in Dubai last week.
“In Dubai we had time get the tactics right and some principles laid down,” he said before United’s 1-0 win over Tottenham.
It is also understood that the new coaching staff, which also includes Michael Carrick and Mike Phelan, used the trip to analyse the players’ behaviour. There was no strict curfew, but it was reportedly noted that some players took advantage of the relaxed conditions of the trip more than others.
That trip to Dubai, described by Solskjaer as a ‘mini pre-season’, appears to have worked, as United emerged victorious against Spurs at Wembley.
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