There have been moments in 2020 when it looked like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might not even see out the year as Manchester United manager.
There was the dreadful defeat to Burnley in January, a trio of semi-final exits in the cups, the surrender to Tottenham to cap an awful start to this season and then the Champions League disasters in Istanbul and Leipzig. Like plenty of teams still under construction, United have had moments when it’s looked like the walls are falling in.
But as the New Year dawns it does so not only with Solskjaer still in the job, but his position more secure than it has been for a long time. United start 2021 in second in the Premier League and if they beat Aston Villa tonight they will move level on points with Liverpool.
For a team that spent large parts of last year on the edge of a crisis, the idea of United challenging for the title in the first five months of this year is remarkable, but that is pretty much where we are.
That has to mark 2020 down as a year of substantial progress for United and Solskjaer, but now is no time to relax. The next 12 months need to bring more improvements and there are three things this side needs to do to be moving up another level in time for 2022.
Improve defensively
The clean sheet against Wolves to end last year was welcome for United but this is still a team that is in a title race despite shipping 23 goals in 15 games.
A year ago the signing of Bruno Fernandes transformed United’s attack and maybe this year will bring a signing that can have a similar influence at the back.
United’s defence has been dreadful at times this year, although they can also be capable of impressive one-off displays. While the consistency of this year has improved considerably over the last two months of 2020, the defence can still have off days, such as shipping six goals in three games against Sheffield United, Leeds and Leicester City.
Eric Bailly’s run of three successive starts for the first time since March 2018 might have given Solskjaer something to think about, but the impression remains a new centre half is required in the summer.
This is such a madcap season that defensive disasters, such as the one United produced against Tottenham, might not just be a one-off. The fact Liverpool conceded seven at Aston Villa attests to that.
But long-term United have to be tighter defensively if they’re to regularly challenge for the biggest honours.
Help Fernandes
Talking of Fernandes, what an impact he has had. His assist against Wolves took him to 33 goal involvements in just 30 Premier League games and he truly has revolutionised United’s attacking play.
To say United are reliant on Fernandes misses the point – every side are reliant on their best players – but there is a dependency on the Portuguese playmaker and United will hope others can begin to help fill the void this year.
Solskjaer tried to rest Fernandes at West Ham, only to be forced into introducing him at half-time with United 1-0 down. He changed the game and since then he’s started seven successive games in all competitions.
If it was hoped Donny van de Beek would share some of the burden with Fernandes then that is yet to happen. At some point, the 26-year-old will need a rest and United will need someone to show they can still thrive without him.
Win a trophy
Into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and second in the Premier League, United are again in the discussions for trophies under Solskjaer this season.
After the pain of three semi-final defeats last season United will be determined to take the next step in 2021 and win some silverware.
Failure to do so would extend the trophy drought at Old Trafford to four seasons for the first time since the end of the 1980s, but if they can win a prize then it could be a key moment for the development of a young side.
Even if this does prove to be a year too soon to claim the title, any cup success for United will be another indicator that this is a team heading in the right direction.
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