Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Tactics At Molde FK & Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returns to Manchester United but this time as the caretaker manager.

Solskjaer has been given the task to create some optimism at the club after their disastrous start to the season.

In this tactical analysis, Ill look back on his tactics with Molde to see what his United might look like for the remainder of the season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjærs managerial story

Solskjaer was appointed at Molde FK in 2011 to start his managerial career.

He previously spent a few years as Uniteds reserve team coach, where he will have monitored the development of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard.

Solskjaer performed superbly at Molde, leading them to their first ever league title in his first season and then defending the title in 2012.

In his third campaign, Molde started badly and eventually only finished sixth.

In January 2014, Solskjaer was appointed at Cardiff with the club languishing at the bottom of the table.

Solskjaer didnt manage to keep them up and was sacked in September after a bad start in the Championship.

He then returned to Molde in 2016 and led them to fifth place before finishing second in 2017 and 2018 after the serial champions Rosenborg.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Tactics

Ole Gunnar Solskjær style of play mainly uses a very attacking and interesting 4-2-3-1 formation.

Sometimes the team also sets up in a 4-1-4-1 defensively.

The keys to their success under Solskjaer has been the pressing, counter-pressing and fluid attacking play.

Pressing from the front

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer style of play wants his team to press high up the pitch and disturb the opponent early.

This doesnt change despite going up against tough opposition.

The top of the table clash with Rosenborg is a good example where Molde really went after their rivals and secured a 1-0 win.

We could see the same mentality in the away game with Zenit Saint Petersburg.

Zenit, as expected, won the play-off 4-3 on aggregate but Molde really shouldnt have a chance against such a club.

Solskjaers attacking mentality gave them the belief they could, and Zenit were clearly disturbed.

Solskjaers team presses in a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2.

In the image below,w we see their starting positions when pressing against Rosenborg.

Note the area where they start the press with the striker.

Its right there next to the opponents penalty area.

The wingers often angle their pressing to force the full-back inwards while the striker occupies the ball-near center-back.

The aim is to force a risky pass centrally.

We can see this pressing trap below as Molde try to stee