Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd tipped to make Solskjaer sack call amid Newcastle takeover fear

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appears dejected during the Premier League match at Old Trafford

Manchester United may soon sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager through fear of a potential successor moving to Newcastle, according to one pundit.

Solskjaer will celebrate three years as Old Trafford boss in December, but he has not always enjoyed good form. In fact, he has faced numerous spells of pressure amid some poor results.

The lack of silverware has not helped either. Still, departing executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward claimed after Solskjaer signed his new contract that he can see progress.

But amid another rocky patch of form which has seen United exit the Carabao Cup and lose in the Champions League, they face a tough run of fixtures.

Further north, Newcastle are looking to replace Steve Bruce with a new manager following their takeover. Antonio Conte, Brendan Rodgers and Steven Gerrard are all reportedly targets.

According to former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips, United could soon sack Solskjaer through fear of losing out on a top successor.

“Every week you step on to the touchline at Manchester United you are under pressure though. It is the nature of the job,” the pundit told Football Insider.

“The results and performances of late have not been good enough. There needs to be an improvement after the international break.

“The new ownership at Newcastle may trigger things in the United boardroom. They might make a decision if they fear Newcastle are going to take one of the top managers out there.”

Conte remains out of work following his exit from Inter after winning Serie A last season. However, Leicester manager Rodgers could prove harder to poach.

United, meanwhile, have only won two of their last six games.

Man Utd could sack Solskjaer

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer pose for selfie, Manchester United

“I do not want to see any manager lose their job,” Phillips added.

“But, put it this way, I would not be surprised if something happened quickly if Man Utd struggle in their next few games.

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“United would not want a Conte or a Zidane going to Newcastle.”

The Red Devils face Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in some of their games before the end of November.


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