Solskjaer takes Ferguson’s seat in back row of dugout ‘to spy on subs’ – and it’s already paying off
Norwegian star would use his time on the sidelines to study his opponents in great detail during his career as a player
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has returned to the back seat of the dugout and Manchester United fans have an amazing theory why.
The Norwegian boss has mimicked Sir Alex Ferguson's approach in several ways since he took charge last month.
And eagle-eyed fans have noticed that the 45-year-old has even copied where he sat in the manager's bench.
Fans on Reddit believe the interim manager does this to keep a close eye on his substitutes.
One said: "I think it's predominately for a better view of the game but maybe he's also making sure the players on the bench are paying attention."
The Reds boss does not like to sit anywhere else and he booted Alexis Sanchez out of his seat during the 2-0 win over Reading.
After the striker was subbed off during the match, he made his way past the boss and sat in his spot.
But Solskjaer immediately tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to a nearby empty seat.
As a player, the Norwegian star was famed for sitting on the sidelines and studying his opponents in great detail before he was put on the pitch.
Former team-mate Diego Forlan said: "A good substitute can change a game as Ole Gunnar regularly did for United.
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"We'd sit together on the bench and he'd study opponents he knew he was coming up against later in the game. It served him well."
Solskjaer, who was nicknamed the "Baby Faced Assassin", made an incredible impact from the sidelines and earned the reputation of a being a super-sub.
He once climbed off the bench and scored four times in an 8-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
Mourinho preferred to sit at the front of the dug out with his players behind him during his doomed spell in charge.
But Solskjaer proved his strategy is working as he introduced Romelu Lukaku when United were struggling to make a breakthrough against Newcastle.
The Belgian broke the deadlock just minutes after he came on and the Reds won the match 2-0.
United have won six games on the bounce since he took over and Solskjaer has slammed the tactics previously used by Mourinho.
