United’s woes go far beyond dire displays on the pitch
Ole told to stay in hunt for top four
abject 2-0 home defeat by Burnley, which saw fans turn on the Glazer family, the club’s owners.
But the Americans and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward – also subjected to terrace taunts – recognise the problems Solskjaer is currently facing, with key players missing through injury.
Top scorer Marcus Rashford, club-record signing Paul Pogba and first-choice central midfielder Scott McTominay are all facing lengthy spells on the sidelines.
United’s squad is being stretched to the limit as a result, with young players like Brandon Williams, Daniel James and Mason Greenwood forced to play more games than expected.
The United hierarchy, who have previously been unequivocal in their support for Solskjaer, are willing to cut him some slack while he tries to stay within touching distance of fourth place.
But the demand is for him to keep United in the hunt for a Champions League spot and make a final push once their key injured players are back for the run-in.
Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is the favourite to succeed Solskjaer, who bookmakers have installed as the most likely top-flight boss to be sacked next.
MANCHESTER UNITED’S crisis-hit season reached its lowest point with Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Burnley.
Booed off after their eighth defeat in 24 Premier League games and with just four points separating them from 14th-placed Newcastle, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are in turmoil.
Swathes of empty red seats before the final whistle showed the extent of the anger among United fans, who again called for controversial owners the Glazers and executive vicechairman EdWoodward to be ousted.
Here, we look at the key issues facing United as the 20-time champions try to haul themselves out of their malaise and build some hope of getting back to a level of respectability in English football.
What is wrong with United?
Unloved from the moment they bought the club in 2005, by plunging it into debt, they have taken an estimated £1billion out in dividends and are reviled by United fans, who have wanted them out since day one.
Supporters have long accused them of milking the club’s unique global commercial standing and fan base for their own financial gain, irrespective of the effect that has on the pitch.
But United’s decline as a team is having an effect on financial performance off it, with archrivals Liverpool close to ending their 27-year run as English football’s highest-earning club.
Liverpool’s revenue last season was £533million compared to United’s £627.1m. But United are not in the Champions League this season and are in danger of missing out again next term, with their income likely to drop to £560m-£580m as a result.
Dec 19, 2018 - Mar 6, 2019 Mar 10, 2019 - Jan 23, 2020
Solskjaer 19/12/18- Mourinho 27/05/16-18/12/18 Van Gaal 14/07/14-23/05/16 Moyes 01/07/13-22/04/14 2019-20 2015-16 2014-15 1992-93
P 24 24 24 24 24
W 9 12 11 12 12
D 7 4 7 8 8
L 8 8 6 4 4
P 17 48
Goals Non-penalty goals Total shots
Shot conversion % Expected goals Expected non-penalty goals Big chance total
Big chance conversion %
P65 144 103 51
F 36 39 31 40 37
W 14 18
WD 2 12 32 84 54 27
A 29 29 21 23 19
D14 32 25 9
Total 36 31 357 10.1 40.25 33.16 52 38.5
L 1 18 19 101 28 244 24 158 15 86
GD 7 10 10 17 18
F 39 62
LFA 13 58
PTS 34 40 40 44 44
A71 121 98 54
Win ratio 82.4% 37.5%
Ratio 49.2% 58.3% 52.4% 52.9%
Final place 2013-14
7
5
4
1
League rank 6th T6th 3rd 4th 5th 7th 5th 10th