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Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has saved Old Trafford careers of three players
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has guided his side back into the Champions League after a 2-0 win over Leicester on Sunday.
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Progress. Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows his side haven’t won the Premier League title but a third-place finish is a big stride for his young side. And nobody is questioning the Norwegian now.
Manchester United have finished third in the table after beating Leicester 2-0 on Sunday, with Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard finding the net.
It means that, after a one-year absence, the Red Devils are back in the big time. Back in the Champions League.
Back in January questions were being asked of Solskjaer. Was he good enough? Had he improved anybody? Was the club set for another managerial casualty?
The answers to all three are yes. And the Norwegian deserves maximum credit for riding some rough waves and masterminding a stunning second half of the campaign.
For three players, they owe Solskjaer. Express Sport will now look at the trio whose Old Trafford careers the 47-year-old has saved.
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Anthony Martial
Had Jose Mourinho got his way, United would have sold Anthony Martial.
The current Tottenham boss never took to the France international, believing him to be too mentally fragile to shine.
But Solskjaer has coaxed the best from the forward. This was a make-or-break season and the 24-year-old has delivered with the best campaign of his career.
Martial has scored 22 goals, the same tally as Marcus Rashford.
But, unlike his English counterpart, the Frenchman’s future at the club was far from certain at the start of the season.
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Nemanja Matic
Back in January, Nemanja Matic looked finished.
The Serbia international wasn’t getting a look-in despite Paul Pogba being sidelined through injury at the time.
But Matic has bounced back, with Solskjaer getting him operating at the peak of his powers.
The veteran nearly moved to the MLS with Chicago Fire in the New Year, while clubs from Italy were also courting his signature.
Yet he’s now staying and part of Solskjaer’s plans. Against Leicester on Sunday he made his 16th start from the club’s last 19 matches.
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Luke Shaw
At the start of the season, Luke Shaw was another with a point to prove.
Having failed to shine since his move from Southampton in 2014, the England international had to up his game.
But Solskjaer has turned him into a consistent performer at left-back, with the player also benefitting from competition in the shape of Brandon Williams.
United are happy with their options there now.
And that’s in stark contrast to previous years.
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