In 1998, Tottenham had agreed to buy a striker for £5.5 million (S$9.5 million). Both clubs' chairmen had signed the form, until the selling manager intervened.
Alex Ferguson told Ole Gunnar Solskjaer he did not want him to leave Old Trafford. It proved one of the former Manchester United manager's finest decisions: In May 1999, the substitute Solskjaer scored the Champions League final winner.
Twenty-one years later, it still has repercussions. Had the Norwegian joined Spurs, he would not have been the Manchester United great summoned to reconnect an underachieving club with its glorious past. And without that, he would not be in with a chance of replacing Jose Mourinho as United's permanent manager.
His greatest rival for the post is tomorrow's opponent: Tottenham versus United doubles up as a shoot-out between Solskjaer and Mauricio Pochettino.
The Norwegian brings a knowledge of life inside Old Trafford, an understanding of attacking traditions and the popularity that stems from both his playing days and his likeable personality.
He appeals to the nostalgic, but has shown an immediate ability to galvanise United's younger players. He has ditched some of Mourinho's pragmatic choices and played positive football.
Yet his disastrous spell at Cardiff raises questions if he can prosper at a higher level than Norwegian club Molde. His five United wins have come against inferior opponents.
This is a first test against peers whereas Tottenham, fresh from defeating Chelsea in their League Cup game, already have one major scalp this week and a growing record of beating the best at home.
Whereas Solskjaer has had five games at United, Pochettino is in his fifth year at Tottenham. The Premier League's most consistent overachiever promises sustainability.
Solskjaer has had an early effect on United's players, liberating them and allowing them to enjoy themselves, but, deprived of money to spend, Pochettino has continued to improve his Spurs charges. The Argentinian has shown he is tactically clever, swopping formations.
Solskjaer is channelling his mentor Ferguson, looking to outscore opponents. Pochettino's theories owe more to his initial influence, Marcelo Bielsa, the current Leeds manager who was the former coach of Argentina and Chile.
But a philosophy based around pressing and passing at pace makes Pochettino, like Manchester City's Pep Guardiola and Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp, ultra-modern.
Yet if the Argentinian is the outsider, he has a synergy with United: A willingness to trust in youth earned him Ferguson's admiration.
If two enthusiasts offer to be the antithesis of the serial complainer Mourinho, they are his opposite in another respect. Neither has won a trophy in a major league whereas United's last two appointments have been Champions League winners. That does not rule either out, which shows how much an ethos now matters. United have lost their way.
Solskjaer is a reminder of what they stood for, Pochettino of what they could embody. But, as they meet, it is Pochettino who has shown he belongs at this level and Solskjaer who has it all to prove.
TOTTENHAM V MAN UNITED
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, Monday, 12.30am
Jurgen Klopp has been fined $83,000 AUD over comments made about the referee in the wake of Liverpool's 1-1 draw at West Ham earlier this month. The Football Association (FA) punished Klopp for
Newcastle plunge 10-man Huddersfield closer to the drop
Egypt international Mohamed Salah has crowned a memorable 2018 year by collecting the CAF Player of the Year award for the second year in a row.. Salah made the final three-man shortlist for this year's African Player of the Year award alongside Senegal's Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon.
Salah retains African award to seal great day for Egypt
Watford squeeze past QPR into FA Cup last eight | Reuters.com
Putri Nur Syaliza did not expect to be thrown into the deep end when Singapore played Maldives in Putri the goal-scoring machine. Putri Nur Syaliza in the Under-15 Women's National Team in May The next youngest players selected for the Women's National Team squad against Maldives were 15
ST Young Athlete of the Year: Passion and determination drive
Pochettino gives backing to under-fire Lloris. AFP April 2, of promise in the cruel loss to Liverpool and Pochettino is sure that their new home will be graced by Champions League football
Football: Pochettino gives backing to under-fire Lloris
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United are not scared of playing the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona at the Camp Nou after drawing the Catalans on Friday. United were originally drawn to play at Barcelona in the first leg, which would have given them the
Solskjaer insists United don't fear Camp Nou test after
Find West Ham Latest News, Videos & Pictures on West Ham and see latest updates, news, information from NDTV.COM. Explore more on West Ham.
Lacklustre Liverpool slip up again at West Ham - Pulse Nigeria
Gotze predicts success for diligent Dortmund. Dec 13, 2018, 5:00 am. More pressure on coach as Bayern slip. Nov 12, 2018, 5:00 am. Subscribe to The Straits Times. call 6388-3838 or click here.
Gotze predicts Borussia Dortmund success in Champions League
Bayern Munich forward Sandro Wagner on Wednesday joined Tianjin Teda in the Chinese Super League (CSL) for a reported transfer fee of five million euros and a hefty pay packet. A growing number of
Sandro Wagner completes move from Bayern Munich to Tianjin
Socceroos will bounce back, declares Arnold the Socceroos most certainly have Palestine covered. But the same was true last week in Al Ain, when a ferocious and focused Jordanian outfit pulled
Socceroos beat Palestine, live to fight another day at Asian Cup
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen