2019/03/11

"Mountains are there to be climbed" by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer


No one could  have thought after being 2 nil down at home, 10 first team players injured and the best player in the team now, Paul Pogba got suspended, something extraordinary gonna happen at the second leg at Parc des Princes.

Ever since Sir Alex Ferguson retired I seldom write blog post about Manchester United season review anymore. Due to the poor form in the recent years, from David Moyes to Louis Van Gaal even Jose Mourinho, the special one, I have been demotivated to write any post about Manchester United.

When Mourinho was announced to be the manager of Manchester United in 2016, I thought there was hope again for United to regain the title. Because without doubt Mourinho is a quality manager, he had won trophies wherever he goes. In his first season, he brought United to win the first ever Europa League and got ourselves a ticket to Champions League next season. Even though United finished sixth that season, United still can play Champions League next season and even won the Charity Shield and League Cup. It was not a bad season.

In the second season, United never win any trophy but we finished second place in the league which is the highest since Ferguson retired. I thought it was good enough to finish second due to City were too strong and consistent that season, maybe next season will be United season. However I am so wrong because of Mourinho's third season curse. United started the season very poorly, all the players looked very lost and lost in confidence. There was even break out between Pogba and Mourinho. Sometime I even don't want to watch the match anymore. After the 1-3 lost against Liverpool, 2 days later Mourinho was sacked. After 17 games in this season, United only got 26 points even worse than Moyes time. It was even 11 points gap to 4th place. I thought this season was already gone no matter who take over, can only look forward next season.

On 19th December 2018, United legend - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was announced to be the caretaker manager until the end of the season alongside with Mike Phelan as first team coach. To be honest I never put any high hope on Solskjaer that he will bring United to win every games. I just hope someone who know Manchester United very well, someone who was a striker can give us some entertaining, offensive game. Even though if United lost, at least the fans are entertained with all the attacks. Instead of always watching boring defensive game. However it was an instant impact to United team, Ole got his first win as United manager in his first game against his previous coaching club, Cardiff City. It was a 5-1 win, and we got a glimpse that the United we know are back!

The form doesn't end there, it is an impressive start for Ole as United manager. He only drew twice lost once and won all the games so far. He had broke quite a number of records as manager. He brought United back to 4th place even though there was 11 points gap before he took over. He brought United to FA Cup quarter final after beating Arsenal and Chelsea! Now he had to proof himself in the Champions League.


Before Mourinho was sacked in December, UEFA drew that United will face PSG in last 16. At that time, I thought bye bye, Champion League. United will be knocked out. However after Ole took over United are having an impressive form. Rashford became very sharp to score goals, Pogba showed us he is the world class player who won the FIFA World Cup. So I thought there might be a glimpse of chance United can win against PSG at Old Trafford. Unfortunately United lost 2 nil with Martial and Lingard injured, even Pogba got suspended in the next game. At the point of time everyone thought United had lost and will be knockout in the second leg. However there is 1 thing I love about Ole as United manager is he never show any negativity. In his post match interview, he never say anything negative, he didn't use the injury as an excuse. You can even sense a believe that United still can win in the second leg from him. "Mountains are there to be climbed"

On 7th March 2019, United went to Paris to face PSG with 10 first team players injured and Pogba got suspended. Nobody thought United will win this game, even the United legend Ferdinand said he would love United to win, but he don't think United can. I woke up to watch (it was 4am in Singapore) hoping to witness some miracle. 2 minutes into the game a mistake back pass from PSG defender gave Lukaku the ball to 1 on 1 against Buffon. He dribble past Buffon and scored the first goal!! OMG, there is still 88 minutes left and United just need another goal to equalize the scoreline. What a start.

However 10 minutes later, Mbappe won the offside trap and low cross to the other end. PSG scored and the aggregate score line is 3-1. Now United have to score 2 goals in order to proceed into quarter final. The hope was crushed just after 10 minutes and PSG dominated the game after the sloppy start. Even though PSG got most of the possession, they can't shoot any ball. United defend pretty well. Then on 30th minutes, Rashford had a long powerful shot toward the goal, Buffon got the ball but he slipped! Lukaku who scored 4 goals in his last 2 games was sharp enough to be the first one there and score the second goal! His 6th in 3 games! Game on again! United just need another goal to win the game and proceed to quarter final.

After half time PSG still hold most of the possession but they don't have a clear chance to score. United really defended well, but don't have much chance to counter attack as well. Then on 83rd minutes suddenly Mbappe got 1 on 1 chance to score the winning goal to end United's hope. But he couldn't dribble past De Gea, and the follow up hit the post. Then I got a strong feeling United will score the next goal and win the game. On the 90th minutes moving into extra time, Dalot had a long shot and hit a defender in the box. Dalot appealed it was a hand ball, but referee said no and proceed to corner kick. While waiting for the corner kick suddenly referee halt it and listen to his earphone. Then he run toward VAR and check was it a hand ball and should it be a penalty kick.

I was shocked for a moment and thought is this really happening, am I going to witness the miracle. After a few minutes check, referee gave a penalty to United! YESSSSS!!! I jumped and quickly hold my breath. Praying Rashford to score the goal and bring United to quarter final. After 3 minutes into extra time, the cool and calm Rashford took his run...

... and blast it into the top left corner! Rashford scored!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!! I ran around the room and almost scream out loud. Any United fans who watch it live surely have the same feeling as me. The whole stadium erupted after Rashford scored the penalty. After 9 minutes of extra time, referee finally blow the final whistle and United had make the impossible! All the United players and the coaching staffs were celebrating like they had won the Champions League. Haha. Well, they deserve to celebrate like that after all the odds against them. Nobody believe they could beat PSG at the home ground. It really feel like the Manchester United that we know and love are back! The BELIEVE and never give up spirit are back!









Even now I still the joy and excitement from that game. What a comeback! What a game! Like Sir Alex Ferguson said it "Football, bloody hell" Just give Solskjaer the contract to be United permanent manager. I don't think any manager can take over him now. It just like the old days now. 

Glory Glory Man United!!!
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