While I have never been Ole out, the early-season performances and results where we won something like 2/9 games pushed me right to the edge, and left me wondering whether I still wanted him in only because of what he did as a player.
However, after a rocky period starting from the away win at Norwich and ending at the horrendous 2-2 home draw with Villa, he has truly transformed our fortunes. From the 2-1 win against Spurs where they had no good chances to this unbeaten run which I expect to go on to the end of the season (as United fans we should always expect to win cups like the FA Cup and Europa League), I have seen nothing but progress. There have been a few poor performances such as against Watford, Arsenal and Burnley, but the many good performances with attacking football sandwiching those games do make you stand up and take notice. Since Bruno arrived and took Lingard/Pereira’s place as the creative hub, our style of play and results have just got even better.
And that brings me on to my next point. When comparing league positions after taking into account the average starting 11’s of every team this season and our terrible luck with injuries (Pogba, Marcus and Martial have all been out for lengthy spells), only Klopp, Rodgers, Nuno, Wilder and Dyche has outperformed Ole throughout the season, and only Klopp and Dyche from January onwards. Ole has genuinely turned the tide after it looked as if the waves were swallowing him whole.
To end off, I firmly believe that if we back him with £115m (Dortmund’s asking price) for Sancho and at least £50m for a world class #6, we will come 3rd next year and challenge for the title, if not win it in 2021-22.