While there were plenty of positives from the 2020-21 season, the campaign ended in huge disappointment when we lost the Europa League final on penalties.

With the new season upon us, some of the country’s best journalists have looked back on last season in the RoM charity season preview, with mixed views on how much progress Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made and whether he is the right man for the job.

Daniel Taylor, Senior Football Writer at The Athletic: Let’s be honest, if he hadn’t jutted out his foot to score that goal in 1999 he wouldn’t have even been on an 80-man shortlist for the job. A club with United’s ambitions just doesn’t go for the guy who was previously at Molde and Cardiff City. Yet it didn’t work – or, rather, it worked only to a point – with Jose Mourinho, who was the big scary manager for the big scary job, and wasn’t exactly great fun with the other two managers, post-Fergie, either. Louis van Gaal’s team was the least watchable I have ever seen at United and David Moyes, to quote Sam Allardyce, aged ten years in six months. And Solskjaer? There are parts of the job that clearly suit him. He brings people together, the players like and respect him, he’s popular with the fans and he has had some great results. He’d no dud. And I like the way Ed Woodward, for all his flaws, ignored all the noise and stood by him, even in the moments early on when it felt like Solskjaer might be a three-star coach at a five-star club.

It’s just hard, at the same time, to categorise him as an elite manager when he hasn’t won anything. It’s harsh sometimes, football, and we would probably judge him a lot differently if the Europa League final had ended more happily. But it didn’t – and that means he still has to show he can turn United’s improvement into the hard currency of trophies.

Henry Winter, Chief Football Writer at The Times: Gdansk was frustrating for those of us long-term supporters of Solskjaer, especially with the delayed subs. He needed a trophy to still the doubts. He’s not a top-tier manager but he’s the right man for United now, rebuilding, re-discovering United’s identity, improving the mood in dressing-room and throughout the club. Solskjaer doesn’t have a big ego, it’s not about him, it’s about the team and the club he loves and that’s vital now. Needs working on substitutes.

Oliver Holt, Chief Sports Writer at The Mail on Sunday: At the moment, he is. I’m sorry if that is a cop-out but it’s just the reality. I think he’s done a good job at Old Trafford. He is what United needed after the acrimony of Mourinho and he has rebuilt to a point where United are almost ready to challenge again. This season is the acid test, though. He needs to take the final step to the title, which won’t be easy. If he doesn’t, he will be under pressure.

James Ducker, Northern Football Correspondent at The Daily Telegraph: There’s little doubt he did a good job stabilising the ship, and it needed stabilising. Things had become toxic by the end under Mourinho. I’m less convinced he’s the man to take United forward from here. I think some of Europe’s other heavyweights would have thanked him for his service and parted company at the end of last season and gone and out and got the outstanding Antonio Conte, who left Inter Milan in late May after ending Juventus’ dominance of Serie A to add yet another league title to his CV. I certainly don’t see the value in offering Solskjaer a new contract now. He’s got 12 months left – United should see how this season unfolds first.

Charlotte Duncker, Manchester United Correspondent for Goal:

I think this is the season where he’ll really be judged. When results haven’t been going their way and there’s been pressure on him the board have continually stuck by him. Given their commitment to the rebuild that’s understandable and results last season suggest they weren’t wrong to do so.

However a trophy and more improvement in the league are needed this season. He’s been backed in the summer windows since he arrived and is closer to completing the rebuild he was put in charge of after Jose Mourinho was sacked.

Every time anyone doubts him he always seems to pull the team back and get on track, proving the board right that they’re right to stick with him. More improvement next season would further reinforce that.

Simon Stone, Football Reporter for BBC Sport: This season is a crucial one in answering the question. I don’t see Solskjaer getting all the players he wants but he has had enough time now to put his mark on the job. Realistically, Tottenham and Arsenal are in a rebuilding phase, so there should be no issue over a top four finish. The question is can United push City and repel Chelsea and Liverpool, who domestically, should be stronger than last season. Silverware is not everything but the run without any needs to stop.

Purchase the charity preview to hear their view on potential transfers, who our most important players will be in the season ahead and predictions for what we will achieve.