Paul Ince says title rivals' inconsistency 'could fall into Manchester United's hands'... as ex-Old Trafford star admits he 'didn't think Solskjaer was right for the job' but is now 'excited' by his team
* Manchester United have recovered from a sticky start to mount a title challenge
* The Old Trafford side are now second in the Premier League after 16 games
* Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's job looked to be in danger earlier this season
* He has recovered and Paul Ince admits he's been surprised by the progress
Manchester United look on-course for a title challenge and nobody is more surprised than Paul Ince, who has admitted he never thought the Norwegian should have taken charge.
Solskjaer was on the ropes earlier this season after a disastrous start to 2020-21, with results such as the 6-1 hammering from Jose Mourinho's Spurs causing alarm.
A 10-game unbeaten run and slip-ups from their rivals have seen United shoot back into the title race, looking among the strongest candidates less than three months on from their Old Trafford humiliation from Spurs.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has turned Manchester United from lowly strugglers to title contenders. United are steaming towards a title challenge, sitting second after a 10-game unbeaten run
After United's emergence Ince is expecting a tense title race, revealing he was unimpressed by United replacing Mourinho with the inexperienced Solskjaer back in March 2019.
'I see it being really exciting,' the former United and Liverpool star said on the title race, speaking on Sky Sports punditry duty.
'In the past couple seasons where we've spoke about United in more of a rebuilding phase and they've changed so many managers.
'I was one at the start who said about Ole. I didn't think he was the right man for the job at the time.
Paul Ince has been shocked by their rapid turnaround and admitted he doubted Solskjaer
'You think about Louis van Gaal, David Moyes, Mourinho – big experienced managers dealing with a massive club. I wasn't sure about bringing Ole in on a full-time basis.
'He's been inconsistent at times but he's being very consistent at the moment. He's doing very, very well. To see him up there is unexpected because I thought it would be two to three years.'
The title race looks to be wide open with all the contenders having experienced a crisis at some stage already this season. Liverpool were mauled 7-2 by Aston Villa, Chelsea were stunned by Arsenal and Manchester City endured a 5-2 loss to Leicester.
United haven't properly challenged for the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson quit. This could be their chance.
'Maybe it's because of this strange season and teams dropping in their performances,' Ince added.
'We've seen a lot of inconsistency and that can fall into Manchester United's hands.'
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