Some distance from where Manchester United used to be, Stephen Kelly nevertheless outlined why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer showed his promise in Sunday's 3-1 defeat of Norwich City.
The club's first away win of the Premier League season, it had been eight months since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United last recorded a domestic win on the road.
Entering into a period that journalist Andy Mitten described to Off the Ball as crucial to the Norwegian's future in the role, despite suffering a disappointing defeat to Newcastle United in early October, Solskjaer's side is now unbeaten in three games after Sunday's defeat of Norwich.
"The last two games have shown a little bit more of his managerial skills than up to this point," noted Stephen Kelly of Solskjaer's tactical nous on Tuesday's OTB AM. "They went out against Liverpool and had to play a completely different way than if they were playing any other team.
"Against Norwich, he changed it and instead of being the team set up to defend, they were the attacking team throughout."
Manchester United's Anthony Martial celebrates scoring his side's third goal of the game during the Premier League match at Carrow Road, Norwich.Although it is a measure of Manchester United's current standing that the weekend's trip to Carrow Road could be quite so daunting, after suffering defeats to Newcastle, West Ham and Crystal Palace this season, the 3-1 win will come as some relief.
"They could have gone to Norwich City feeling a little edgy given that they'd beaten Manchester City there," acknowledged Kelly, "but they went for the throat and set out in a really attacking fashion.
"It was a good step forward."
In what has been a difficult start to his first full season in charge, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's tenure has been notable for the impact made by his summer singings.
Along with the impressive performances of Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Kelly singled out Daniel James for his ability to exceed expectations.
While many Manchester United fans will undoubtedly hold some reservations regarding Solskjaer's long-term suitability for the role at hand, upcoming league games against Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Sheffield United and Aston Villa will be seen as a viable opportunity for United to bridge the seven-points separating them from the Premier League's top-four.
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