Solskjaer parks the bus just like Mourinho – Van Gaal

The “main difference” between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho is that “Solskjaer is winning”, according to former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.

Solskjaer has turned the club around since replacing Mourinho in December and has led the club to 10 wins from 13 Premier League games, losing just once to guide the club to fifth place in the table, just two points adrift of the final Champions League qualifying place.

He has also guided United into the Champions League quarter-finals after a remarkable 3-1 win at Paris St Germain in the second leg set up a last-eight meeting with Barcelona.

However, in a wide-ranging interview with the BBC, Van Gaal thinks there is barely any difference between the two manager’s playing styles.

“People think we have only had fake news since Donald Trump became president. In football we have had it for 50 years,” says Van Gaal.

“The coach after me [Mourinho] changed to park-the-bus tactics and played on the counter. Now there is another coach who parks the bus and plays on the counter. The main difference between Mourinho and Solskjaer is that Solskjaer is winning.

“I am not there but there does look to be a change and the atmosphere seems to be better. It is also true that Solskjaer has changed Paul Pogba’s position and put him into an area where he is much more important.

“But the way Manchester United are playing now is not the way Ferguson played. It is defensive, counter-attacking football. If you like it, you like it. If you think it is more exciting than my boring attacking, OK. But it is not my truth.”