Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 119th and 121st Manchester United games both happen to be against Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool. The first ended 0-0 on Sunday, the second in the FA Cup will be this Sunday.
Klopp took a while to turn Liverpool into Premier League champions for the first time since 1990 – and European and world champions too, but the German is regarded as one of the best coaches in the world.
Solskjaer is not. He doesn't have Klopp’s body of work or success, but his United sit above Liverpool as the league approaches its halfway point. The Norwegian’s record is also comparable with Klopp’s when he first arrived at Anfield.
Solskjaer won 67 of his first 118 games in all competitions, Klopp 60. Solskjaer drew 24, Klopp 34. Solskjaer lost 28, Klopp 24. In those games, Manchester United scored 217 times to Liverpool's 222. United conceded 122 goals, Liverpool 130. In the Premier League alone, Solskjaer has picked up 1.868 points per game, Klopp’s record at the same stage was near identical, at 1.863. Solskjaer’s overall win percentage is 56.78%, Klopp’s 50.46%.
As he prepares to take his team to Fulham on Wednesday, Solskjaer’s side are in a position considered implausible only a month ago. Despite him consistently stating that league positions only matter on the final day of the season, criticism of him has turned into begrudging compliments that he’s making a decent fist of his job. His defence is much tighter and has kept three consecutive clean sheets, even though his front three aren’t in their best form.
It’s a job he’s enjoying, too.
"I wouldn't do it if I didn't feel up to it or feel I was giving back to the club," Solskjaer told The National. "I don't enjoy leaving players out. It's hard for big games. You have players who deserve to play and it's a difficult job to tell them they are not in a job on a Sunday afternoon and then on Monday morning that they are back in a job. Those chats before to explain why a player won't play are not easy, especially when I don't have a good reason behind it, more so because I could give them more reasons why they should be playing. But that's part of what I love about the job as well, working with human beings. That's the main job to get the best from individuals so that we can be a strong team together."
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Liverpool v Man United ratings
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LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 8. The Brazilian made a great save from Fernandes with his foot and a fantastic stop from Pogba in the last 10 minutes to preserve the point. Reuters -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 5. The 22-year-old was uncertain at the back and inconsistent with his crosses. Part of Liverpool’s attacking problem is that the right back has hit a dip in form. Reuters -
Fabinho - 8. Another composed performance by the Brazilian. He produced a brilliant sliding block to stop a Fernandes opportunity and snuffed out a Rashford counter-attack late on. Reuters -
Jordan Henderson - 7. The captain was not tested in this unfamiliar position of centre half. He was strong in the air and used the ball well but playing him at the back is not the solution for Liverpool's defensive problems. Reuters -
Andrew Robertson - 6. The Scot got into good positions but his touch was off and too many of his passes found a United shirt rather than a teammate. Defended well against Rashford. EPA -
Thiago Alcantara - 6. The 29-year-old's passing is seductive but he needs to hurt the opposition more. He is still adjusting to the pace of the English game. Forced a save from De Gea in the closing stages with a shot from the edge of the box. Reuters -
Georginio Wijnaldum - 5. The Dutchman worked manfully in a restructured midfield. He impressed during his side’s spell on top in the first-half but tired late. Replaced by Milner with a minute to go. EPA -
Xherdan Shaqiri - 6. Faded after a bright start when he buzzed around the United box generating chances. The Swiss was taken off for Jones with 14 minutes left. Reuters -
Sadio Mane - 6. As so often recently, the Senegalese was the most dynamic of Liverpool’s attackers. The inability to convert that threat into goals against packed defences is becoming a worry, though. EPA -
Mohamed Salah - 5. A frustrating effort for the Egyptian. He switched flanks in an attempt to exert more influence but had little impact on either side of the pitch. Reuters -
Roberto Firmino - 4. A lacklustre display. The front three have been sputtering largely because the Brazilian has struggled for consistency and has been unable to create space and opportunities for his colleagues. Wasted one good chance. AFP -
SUBS: Curtis Jones - 5. Replaced Shaqiri in the 75th minute and tried to spark the attack. Brought plenty of energy but not much danger. EPA -
Divock Origi - 5. Given the last five minutes when Firmino was substituted. The Belgian was eager and managed to force a corner but never looked like breaking the deadlock (no match photo available). Reuters -
James Milner - 5. Brought on for Wijnaldum in the 89th minute and was solid enough. A cautious substitution from Jurgen Klopp as time ran out (no match photo available). Reuters -
MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: David De Gea - 7. Little to do despite strong Liverpool pressure in the first 30 minutes as they flew at United having had no games since United played their last two. Reuters -
Aaron Wan Bissaka – 7. Nervous watching him against Mane but handled him well in a dogged opening half hour. Like his team, he brightened up in the second half. Set up Pogba seven minutes from time. Survived the Liverpool threat for consecutive clean sheets in away games. EPA -
Victor Lindelof – 7. Selection a slight surprise given his injuries and Eric Bailly’s form. Steady and his defence kept a clean sheet – in no part down to superb late defending snuffing Liverpool out. Justified his selection. AFP -
Harry Maguire – 7. Under pressure and blocked a Firmino shot but shaky giving ball away. Good game against three of the best forwards in the world. Reuters -
Luke Shaw – 8. Involved in first half counters down the left. Solid, though lost ball which led to Salah run on goal. Attacked and assisted and full of energy for 90 minutes. More touches than any other United player. Man of the match. AFP -
Paul Pogba – 7. Unusually, started playing off the right and immediately involved in attack and cutting out Liverpool attacks, but gave ball away – partly because he tries the spectacular and it doesn’t always come off. His shot after 83rd minute was one of the best two chances in the game and superbly saved by Allison. He set himself up with a fine first touch but volleyed at goalkeeper. EPA -
Scott McTominay - 7. Robust early challenge on Thiago that Bryan Robson or Norman Whiteside would’ve been proud of. Improved as game went on and strong on clearances and will be satisfied with the result against a side who’d won 36 of their previous 38 home league games. Reuters -
Fred - 7. Outsmarted by Thiago early and wasteful in possession but always busy and pressing against the champions. Passed ball nicely forward in a second half move and sensed dangers well. Reuters -
Bruno Fernandes - 5. Transformed United since signing a year ago but poor in this huge game. Lost his man and limited impact. United’s best first half effort with a free kick but very poor and United’s first shot on target after 64. Side-footed a chance after a fast United attacked but well saved by Allison. EPA -
Anthony Martial - 6. Played on left which constrained him, even though he looked dangerous when he has the ball. Played an hour. Needs to get to the levels he was at last season for him to be an asset who could help United win the league. AFP -
Marcus Rashford - 6. Playing centre forward. Lots of running but offside four times in a first half where United didn’t have a single shot on target. His runs excite but led to little and his manager pointed them out as an area his players could’ve improved. There was one run where Cavani was to his left in space. Booked. EPA -
SUBS: Edinson Cavani - 6. On for Martial 60. Worked hard, smart touches in a better second half for United. Liverpool’s 68-game unbeaten home run stays intact, as does United’s unbeaten away run stretching nearly a year. AFP -
Mason Greenwood - N/A On for Fernandes after 89. The Portuguese didn’t kook happy about it, but he could have no complaints after his performance. Reuters
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Avoid defeat at an 18th-placed Fulham who have won only two of their 17 games since promotion, though the Cottagers have drawn four of their last five games, including against Liverpool, and United will go over a year without defeat in an away game.
“They’re well coached and trust their own organisation and shape,” Solskjaer said of Scott Parker’s side. “They’re one of the hardest teams to break down, they’re well structured on and off the ball. They also have players who are defensively very quick and strong, but also individually going forward they have players who can make a difference.”
Solskjaer expects a tight league but points out: “Only Tottenham from the teams around us have beaten us. We’ve not conceded to Chelsea, Man City or Liverpool, which is a strength to have. If you keep on winning the games, as we have done lately, we have a good chance of staying competitive towards the end.”
A year ago, there was intense pressure around who United would bring in during the January transfer window. Not now, though there may be departures.
“We can probably allow one or two to go out but one of the strengths we have is a deep squad. We don't want to give our advantage away by changing that.”
Amad Diallo, 18, is the one player who did arrive in January, from Serie A side Atalanta, where he’d impressed in their youth teams.
“Very good, he can handle the ball, he enjoys training and makes a difference in training,” said Solskjaer of his new arrival. “That’s quite remarkable at his age. There is some adjustment to settle into the hustle and bustle and physical part of the Premier League, but I can’t see it being too long before he’s in the squad. He’s settled down well, the players have taken to him and he’s a good character, a polite and smiley boy who works hard.”
Wednesday’s 120th game is against Fulham and Solskjaer has his sights firmly fixed on three points from that, avoiding speculation about the upcoming cup fixture until that is over.
