6 Highlights and Lowlights of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's First Year in Permanent Charge of Man Utd

​Despite what the doomsayers would have you believe, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's time as Manchester United boss has not been an unmitigated disaster.

Yes, there may have been some high profile, eminently meme-able mishaps but there's also been more than a few highlights. 

With it being one year on from the former super sub being giving the manager's gig permanently, we thought it was the opportune time to reflect on what has been an eventful 12 months for United. 

So here it goes, three highlights and three lowlights from Solskjaer's time in permanent charge at Old Trafford, 90min style.

Terrible Start

​Presumably still high from the fumes created by United's incredible Champions League comeback against PSG, the board handed Solskjaer control at Old Trafford permanently on March 28, 2019. 

Things got off to a roaring start as well, with the Red Devils storming to a 2-1 win over Watford in his first game. This left United just two points off of the Champions League places - a target that seemed unattainable when José Mourinho left the club in December. 

After this win against the Hornets, however, United's season entered a dramatic tail spin. They would taste victory just once more in their remaining nine games, crashing out of the Champions League to ​Barcelona and only securing a sixth placed finish. 

They couldn't even beat Huddersfield... and they were absolutely rubbish. 

Opening Day Joy

​With the disastrous end of the 2018/2019 season still fresh in people's minds, Solskjaer must have been sweating over his long-term job security when United hosted Frank Lampard's ​Chelsea on the opening day of the current campaign. 

Luckily for the Norwegian, his players treated him to a ruthless attacking display, converting four out of their five attempts on target to secure a statement victory over the Blues. 

Marcus Rashford - whose ability to lead to line for United had been questioned all summer - grabbed a brace, while the equally maligned Anthony Martial and Daniel James also netted on a beautiful summer's day at Old Trafford.

Disappointing Defeats 

​The early season optimism did not last very long. Defeats to ​West Ham and ​Newcastle will do that to a group of supporters. 

These two unacceptable results bookended a home draw with a stuttering ​Arsenal side as well as a Carabao Cup game against Rochdale in which United required penalties to defeat their League One neighbours. 

During this miserable period, Solskjaer's side looked incapable of breaking teams down who didn't allow them to play their counter attacking style - which is obviously quite a big problem when you're one of the biggest scalps in the country.

Bragging Rights

​Nothing gets fans on side quicker than a derby day win - particularly if it's in your rivals own backyard.

United travelled to the Etihad in December off the back of a decent run of form, yet Pep Guardiola's side remained heavy favourites. 

Goals from Rashford and Martial inside half an hour proved insurmountable for the home side and the defeat left City 14 points adrift of ​Liverpool - all but ending their title chances. The result proved that Solskjaer was capable of formulating a coherent tactical plan for the big occasion and went someway to silencing his many critics. 

 Ill-Advised Press Conference

​You know what's probably not a good idea? Describing a 2-0 defeat - no matter what the wider context - to your bitter rivals as proof that ​"you're on the right track."

After losing to Liverpool, Solskjaer genuinely uttered those exact words and quite rightly, was absolutely rinsed for it. The very next game, things got even worse for United as a Jay Rodriguez wonder goal helped Burnley secure a 2-0 win at Old Trafford. 

This was the period where it seemed most plausible that the Norwegian may actually get sacked...

Bruno Fernandes Saves the Day

​The transfer saga may have dragged on for forever and and a day, but Bruno Fernandes has proved himself to be worth every painful day of negotiation since arriving at Old Trafford in January. 

The Portuguese playmaker's signing has given the United squad a new lease of life and they remain unbeaten with him in the team.   

Fernandes' influence was witnessed most profoundly in the Manchester derby earlier this month. Once again, United came out on top and their new signing was at the centre of everything his side created. 

Solskjaer deserves tremendous credit for helping Fernandes ​settle so swiftly.