New manager, better Man-U

LONDON – Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be made Manchester United’s permanent manager and praised the Norwegian for being able to combine everything United stood for under Alex Ferguson with a modern tactical approach.

Liverpool, whose 3-1 win over United at Anfield in December led to Jose Mourinho’s sacking and Solskjaer’s appointment until the end of the season, head to Old Trafford for the reverse fixture on Sunday.

Solskjaer’s impact on a team that was labouring under Mourinho has surpassed expectations, and he has guided United into fourth place in the Premier League on the back of a run of eight wins and a draw in nine league games since taking charge.

“It must be one of the best records ever, mustn’t it?” Juergen told a pre-match news conference yesterday. “I’m really happy for him. It’s not the best news for us, but for all Manchester United fans its brilliant.

“They’ve brought in all the things Sir Alex Ferguson stood for with all the new things in football. That makes them a threat again.

“Now he’s in charge and there’s no doubt he will be the manager next year as well. That is clear. Can you imagine if they brought in a new manager? He deserves (the job) 100 per cent.” (Reuters)