Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Last rites for Solskjaer as Man Utd board call meeting and plead for replacement

A report claims Manchester United have called an emergency board meeting for 7pm on Saturday to discuss the future of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Pressure on the Norwegian has been mounting in recent weeks following a succession of woeful displays. Despite spending heavily in the summer and the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, they have been poor. A decent start to the campaign seems a long time ago and Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Watford may have sounded Solskjaer’s death knell.

Many pundits feel the Scandinavian has only held onto his job due to his United connections. Many managers have been sacked for producing better results.

But it may be that the Vicarage Road reverse is the final straw. After the loss, the former Cardiff City boss confessed that he may be on his way.

“I’ve never said I feel safe – I will never say that I feel safe,” he told the BBC. “I work for the club and with the club as hard as I can with a great staff and any conversation between me and the club is not for me and you it’s between us.

“I’m the manger and I will take the flack and take the responsibility – the players are working as hard as they can. The fans are really disappointed I understand we all understand.”

It seems as though the Red Devils’ hierarchy are not wasting any more time. The Times are reporting that a virtual meeting will be held on Saturday evening.

Top of the agenda will reportedly be the manager and possible compensation terms if they do opt to sack him. Assistant Mike Phelan and first-team coach Kieran McKenna  are also set to be sacked.

Manchester United open fresh talks over Borussia Monchengladbach's Denis Zakaria

Manchester United open fresh talks over Borussia Monchengladbach's Denis Zakaria

Manchester United have reportedly opened fresh talks over a transfer for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria following Liverpool’s interest, with more news on Thiago Alcantara and Frenkie De Jong.

Solskjaer on borrowed time

United have now won just four of their last 13 games in all competitions. There is certainly no shortage of talent in the squad.

But it is a lack of tactical knowhow that appears to be holding them back and the buck inevitably stops with the manager. Brendan Rodgers has been heavily linked to the job should it become vacant.

But the same report claims that the Glazer family has instructed club officials to try to persuade Zinedine Zidane to take the post. The Frenchman has also been mentioned in connection with the Old Trafford hotseat and is said to be willing to take over.

Rodgers is favourite but the latest news mean that the bookies may have got it wrong.

READ MORE: Solskjaer ‘successor’ urged to make radical Man Utd Ronaldo decision