Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has always been quick to identify the ‘fine margins’ which have been scattered throughout his Manchester United reign.
From the dubious Presnel Kimpembe handball decision which gave Marcus Rashford the chance to break Paris Saint-Germain hearts early last year, to a similarly controversial decision to award United a penalty after the full-time whistle had sounded during their win over Brighton back in September.
Despite being fortuitous those two moments both helped to rekindle the never say die attitude within the first-team squad, a galvanising spirit which inspired Rashford to his latest dramatic winner over Wolves on Tuesday night.
“Can Manchester United score? They always score,” commentator Clive Tyldesley famously remarked just moments before their famous leveller against Bayern Munich in the Champions League Final of 1999. 21 years later and the veteran commentator was perhaps the least surprised media member fortunate enough to be in attendance as United won late on (again) against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in midweek.
The great United sides under Sir Alex Ferguson were synonymous with their tendency to win a match in ‘Fergie time’. Rivals often pointed to this streak as fluky, but the fact it occurred quite so often indicates that far more than fortune was at play.
Of all the nostalgia Solskjaer has indulged in while occupying the Old Trafford hot seat it is this formidable fighting spirit which he ought to be proud of the most. United seem to always score no matter how badly they have played, it is that special trait which really is making them dark horses for the Premier League title next year.
Most fitting of all is that Ferguson was in attendance on Tuesday night for another late moment of inspiration from an academy graduate to seize all three points for Solskjaer’s side. If there was ever a goal to embody the true United spirit – it might well be an ugly deflected effort from a local lad which secured a win when it seemed so improbable.
A string of crucial saves from David de Gea, a key interception from Eric Bailly and a blight of cramp for Wolves full-back Rayan Aït-Nouri were all contributing factors to the latest United win, another trio of fine margins which Solskjaer so readily provides.
The win ensured United will finish the year second-place in the Premier League ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with Newcastle on Wednesday night. In a year like no other it is perhaps rather fitting that 2020’s final surprise is to make United genuine title contenders once again.
Solskjaer was right to warn fans about their realistic expectations at full-time, after all we are not even halfway through the league campaign despite being at the end of the calendar year. But it is that right to dream which makes the club so special as United look to defy the odds once again.
While it might not be time for Tyldesley to repeat his famous “name on the trophy” verse, the incredible hard work and attitude of this United team means he might very well be saying “Solskjaer has won it” once again.
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