It has been a long seven years since Sir Alex Ferguson ended his outstanding career and time as Manchester United manager. Seven years that must feel like an eternity for United fans, as it marked the start of their longest run without a Premier League title. During the Ferguson years, United never went more than three seasons without the title, and now, it's going to be eight without even a challenge.
It is no easy task replacing a man of the ilk of Sir Alex, and United have tried everything. From Ferguson's own recommendation, David Moyes, to serial winner Jose Mourinho - nothing has worked. An FA Cup and Europa League trophy have acted as paper over the cracks but the truth is the Red Devils haven't been good enough, especially in the league. Something had to change.
Up stepped United cult hero, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Whilst Solskjaer didn’t quite have the managerial CV expected of a top club manager, he did have was something that can’t be said for many; he has the fans on his side from the get-go. Just over 20 years before his appointment he carved his name into United folklore when his late Champions League final goal secured United a historic treble.
In the eyes of many United fans, he could do no wrong. Scoring five goals in a game for the first time since the Ferguson era in Solskjaer’s first game in charge was the ideal start. Were the glory days finally returning?