Manchester United must finally correct Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 2019 midfield mistake

In a July 2019 press conference while Manchester United were on a pre-season tour in a far-flung destination (remember them?), Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was asked a pertinent question.

How were United going to replace Ander Herrera? The midfielder had been a key pillar of their engine room and his departure — under a cloud, of sorts — on a free had caused plenty of concern for fans. The complaint from many was that United's midfield felt light on options and that a signing was needed.

Despite being in the midst of their own self-styled cultural reset that would involve signing "young, hungry homegrown players" — in the words of Ed Woodward — United saw the midfield situation differently to most, and Solskjaer's answer was revealing.

He replied: “Andy (Pereira) I expect a lot more from, Scotty (McTominay) I expect a lot more from. Those two between them had maybe 15, 20 starts last season. You expect them to have at least 20 each this season, maybe even more.

"That’s maybe two players into one that can replace Ander."

Ralf Rangnick is well and truly into his role as Manchester United interim manager, trying to turn the club's season around after a dismal few months.

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Some might say Solskjaer was proven half-right; others might claim he was completely wrong. It depends how you rate Scott McTominay's development in the United midfield over the past two-and-a-half years.

Either way, it was as