Solskjaer heading for sack; Man Utd will struggle to finish in top six, says pundit

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer TEAMtalk

Manchester United will struggle to finish in the top six this season and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is heading for the sack, according to one pundit.

Roy Keane has already said that he fears United’s “bluffers” will get Solskjaer axed.

The 6-1 home defeat by Spurs was simply inexcusable and now Robbie Savage thinks United’s below-par performances will see the Norwegian get the boot.

Solskjaer wrote in the Daily Mirror: “Sorry, but if there is any repeat of Manchester United’s horrendous ­performance against Tottenham, I fear Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will lose his job.


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“It gives me no pleasure to write those words because I like the guy, I happen to believe he did a terrific job last season, and I would never call for a ­manager to be sacked.

“But results will dictate what happens to Solskjaer, and ­United’s results have been poor.

“They were miles off the pace in their home defeat by Crystal Palace, got lucky at Brighton – who hit the woodwork five times – and the six-goal hammering by Spurs was ­simply unacceptable. A complete shambles.

 

 

“When things go wrong on the pitch, it is usually the manager who carries the can.”

Savage admits he might well have got his pre-season predictions badly wrong after tipping United to finish second, with then tipping Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton as all finishing above the Red Devils.

He added: “And right now, I am wondering how on earth I tipped United to finish second in the Premier League before a ball was kicked this season.

Lucky to make the top six

Edinson Cavani

“Based on the defensive ­horror show I watched against Spurs, they will be lucky to ­finish in the top six.

“While Everton, Arsenal and Tottenham all appear to have strengthened their hands in the transfer window, I have to ask what United were doing.

“Yes, it is Solskjaer’s job to pick the team, formulate the tactics, and motivate the players, although they should require no motivating ­whatsoever to go out and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“But when I made my ­forecast last month, it was based on the reasonable assumption that United would fortify their squad with key additions, notably a mobile centre-back, a world-class No.9, and a top-class ­playmaker.

“Two or three from Kalidou Koulibaly, Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane and Raul Jimenez would have shown they meant business. They would have been the names on my shopping list.

“Instead, at the last minute, United brought in 33-year-old Edinson Cavani – a fantastic player with a great goalscoring record, but brought in two or three years too late.

“Brazilian defender Alex Telles arrived on deadline day and midfielder Donny van de Beek is a very good player, although I would question whether United needed strengthening in that part of the pitch.

“Before Solskjaer is thrown to the wolves, I would like to ask this: Did Manchester United’s ­hierarchy sign the leading targets on the manager’s shopping list?

“One by one, from Grealish ­signing a new contract at Aston Villa to Borussia Dortmund ­playing hardball over the asking price for Sancho, the names we expected to see unveiled in a red shirt simply didn’t materialise.

“If the team Solskjaer put out last week was very different from the one one he envisaged in the close season, I feel sorry for him.

“Because if those players continue to ‘perform’ like they did against Tottenham, they will get their manager the sack.”

READ MORE: Man Utd stand by apologetic Solskjaer and deny approach for successor