Atalanta coach Gasperini shows unwavering support for under-fire Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been backed to emerge from this current slump and take Manchester United back to the top by Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
Atalanta were 2-0 up at Old Trafford a fortnight ago before Cristiano Ronaldo secured a memorable 3-2 comeback victory in the Champions League. That maybe was the warning sign because things went awry days later as United were humbled 5-0 at home by arch rivals Liverpool.
That trouncing left Solskjaer facing the most intense pressure and scrutiny of his reign.
The 1999 treble hero kept his job though and led the side to a 3-0 win at Tottenham on Saturday. And United will host Manchester City at the weekend after Tuesday’s Group F game in Bergamo.
Gasperini thinks United are “still under construction” but believes Solskjaer remains the right man to take the Old Trafford giants forwards.
“I can only talk about what I’ve seen in terms of the way they play and the results they’ve got,” the Atalanta head coach said.
“I think they had an incredible run towards the back end of last season. They finished as runners-up and then they lost the Europa League final, but he certainly did a top-class job.
“This year I think he’s still trying to find consistency with a team that has a great deal of potential and they’ve shown that from time to time.
“But I really believe that he will find the right fit and he will be able to take Manchester United back to the top, and that includes in the Premier League.”
Atalanta remain without a string of first-team players for the United clash.
Rafael Toloi, Berat Djimsiti, Matteo Pessina and Robin Gosens remain unavailable for Gasperini.
Subscribe for free to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…
Gasperini ready to be flexible
“Tomorrow night’s game will be a completely different match to the reverse fixture,” he added. “Every game is different.
“We did show a great deal of character at Old Trafford. There were more than 70,000 in that night.
“We set up very well, we had some very positive passages of play. There were other times when we had to dig in, but of course, that game will always stay with us.
“As for how we’re to approach tomorrow night’s match, it’s a different kettle of fish.
“We need to make sure that we are willing and ready to take on Manchester United based on whether they set up as they did in their last game against Tottenham or whether they will set up as they did in the reverse fixture.
“From a tactical perspective, of course, those are two very different things. But we have to be versatile and adaptable to make sure we’re able to match whatever they do. Be it from the start of the game or as the match wears on.”
READ MORE: Solskjaer ‘pleased with most of mine’ as Man Utd stars given short shrift
The post Atalanta coach Gasperini shows unwavering support for under-fire Solskjaer appeared first on TEAMtalk.