MAKE OR BREAK FOR SOLSKJAER
Crunch games to save job
THE #OleOut movement was trending on social media long before Manchester United’s beleaguered boss had exited the scene of his latest calamity.
Even MUTV was not immune from the toxicity, hijacked by two young fans declaring “Ole out” and “Sancho is c***”.
After the euphoria of Cristiano Ronaldo’s emotional return and the belief United finally had a squad capable of winning the title again, came this latest brutal reality check.
United have won just 11 of their past 25 Premier League games at Old Trafford. One clean sheet in 18 games in all competitions underlines United’s defensive frailty, exposed once again here by Everton, who were unlucky not to leave victorious. This may have been a draw, but it felt like a defeat, another clueless display that added to the growing belief that Solskjaer is not the man to bring success back to United. The 48-year-old is unlikely to be jettisoned just yet, but the next run of games will surely decide his fate.
United face Leicester, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City in the Premier League, along with a tricky Champions League doubleheader against Atalanta. Given United’s insipid form it is hard to see them navigating that run of games with a set of results that would enable United’s board to continue to back Solskjaer, left. Ronaldo, who inexplicably started on the bench, strode straight down the tunnel at the end muttering his displeasure for all to see, his dismay shared by the 70,000 home fans in the stadium.
Solskjaer may have enjoyed progress in his two full seasons in charge of United but there is a growing sense that it requires a proven elite coach to make the transition to the next level.
United’s immediate rivals have such managers in Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, and Thomas Tuchel.
His opposite number on Saturday, Rafa Benitez, has shown in only a few months at Everton how it is possible to improve players with proper coaching, structure and an identifiable style of play, which United do not have under Solskjaer.
Anthony Martial’s first goal for eight months was cancelled out by Andros Townsend, United beaten on the counter-attack, their naivety costing them again.
Time is running out for Solskjaer to show he is the man to lead United long term.
The new contract he signed in the summer is now looking like an act of blind faith from a club, one made in hope rather than firm conviction.