An interesting quote from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has prompted inevitable comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson.
For the first time in a while, some sense of optimism has returned to Old Trafford and Solskjaer deserves a huge amount of credit.
With that being said, it’s no secret that things haven’t exactly gone according to plan for the club since Sir Alex departed back in 2013.
No manager since Sir Alex has been able to bring consistent success back to United and signs of progress have been few and far between.
However, Solskjaer is the first managerial appointment that feels more geared towards long-term success. United’s incredible away form has been a huge part of that, though it’s been consistently difficult to replicate that at home.
Straight from the Sir Alex playbook
Speaking ahead of his side’s second-leg Europa League meeting with Granada, Ole was asked about why the club plays better on the road, citing the “red shirts on red seats” at home, which could serve as a bit of a distraction.
“You’ll see a change now the banners around the place. It is not red anymore, we have looked into this,” Solskjaer told a news conference.
It’s an excuse that will sound hilariously familiar to the older generation of United fans.
Gary Neville couldn’t help but pick up on the comments.
This is Ole’s Grey Shirt moment ? https://t.co/vl0SGlZuon
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) April 14, 2021
Neville is referencing a game between Manchester United and Southampton back in 1996. On that day, the Saints put United to the sword – to the point where Ferguson made them change from their grey shirts in the first half to a completely different colour in the second. When asked why, he came out with this beauty.
“The players don’t like the grey strip. The players couldn’t pick each other out.
“They said it was difficult to see their team-mates at distance when they lifted their heads.
“It was nothing to do with superstition,” he said.
Over the years Ferguson gained a reputation for coming up with some interesting “excuses” behind bad performances, and that was one of the best. That wasn’t necessarily always seen as a bad thing, Ferguson was often praised for his ability to deflect media attention away from his players with these kinds of things.
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