The times, they are a-changing
The tide is turning at Old Trafford. Players are happy. Fans are optimistic. The tactics are positive, attacking. 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.
It feels like a return to the good old days of Sir Alex Ferguson, with the club’s philosophy restored and someone who gets it at the helm. And Solskjaer has taken a leaf out of Sir Alex’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 other.
That trip to Dubai, described by Solskjaer as a ‘mini pre-season’, appears to have worked, as United emerged victorious against Spurs at Wembley. Although, they had goalkeeper David De Gea to thank, after the Spaniard stopped numerous shots from close range, keeping United in the game while Spurs poured forward.
