The stats behind Ole's 99 matches as manager
“I’m surprised - it’s gone really quickly,” explained Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a smile, when informed that Sunday’s match against Arsenal will be his 100th as Manchester United manager.
That exciting first result in Wales started a morale-boosting 11-match unbeaten run across all competitions and a stunning Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain soon followed. Solskjaer was later unveiled as the club’s permanent manager on 28 March 2019.
In his first full season in charge, 2019/20, Ole led United to a third-place finish in the Premier League and three semi-final appearances in the League Cup, Emirates FA Cup and Europa League.
Solskjaer is determined to win trophies this campaign and, after an inconsistent start, owing to an extremely short pre-season campaign, his Reds are beginning to find good form and fitness.
Watch Ole’s press conference in full
Check out the boss’s comments on Mikel Arteta, Paul Pogba and Arsenal, as he prepares for his 100th game in charge…
In a press conference to preview this Sunday’s league match against Arsenal, Ole looked forward to the challenge and reflected on his 99 matches as manager so far.
“Arsenal is always going to be difficult because they are a very good team with a very good manager, who’s got some great ideas on how football should be played and I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
“Of course, I’m surprised it’s 100 - it’s gone really quickly, even though a lot has happened. Let’s hope I can celebrate no.100 with a good performance and a win. I’ve enjoyed it so far.”
Scroll down to study some key stats from Ole's reign so far...
Ole has won 55, drawn 21 and lost 23 of his 99 matches, which gives him a win rate of 55 per cent. The Reds have scored 181 goals and conceded 99 in that time, providing a goal difference of +82.
TOP SCORER
Marcus Rashford has scored the most goals of any player under Solskjaer with 38 to his name. The homegrown hero is followed by Anthony Martial on 28 and Mason Greenwood on 19.
TOP APPEARANCE MAKER
Rashford is also first in this chart under Ole with 80 across all competitions. Victor Lindelof is a close second on 78, followed by David De Gea on 75.
MOST FREQUENT OPPOSITION CLUB
Seven of Solskjaer's 99 games have been against Chelsea and that is more than any other opponent. That tally includes four Premier League matches, two FA Cup ties and one League Cup outing.
MOST FREQUENT OPPOSITION MANAGER
Ole must be on good terms with Nuno Espirito Santo by now, because the two bosses have met six times so far - which is once more than Solskjaer has been pitted against Pep Guardiola and Frank Lampard.
BIGGEST WIN
Ole began with a 5-1 win over Cardiff City in December 2018, but his heaviest victory was achieved just over a year later in January 2020 with a 6-0 triumph over Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup.
LONGEST UNBEATEN RUN
Ole's Reds went 19 games without defeat during 2019/20, starting with the aforementioned win at Tranmere on 26 January and ending on 16 July with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Our 2020/21 home, away and third kits are available to buy now from United Direct.