Neville calls for an end to Solskjaer ‘witch hunt’

OLE Gunnar Solskjaer is the victim of a ‘witch hunt’ from people outside United, according to Phil Neville.

Bookmakers have installed the Norwegian boss as the leading candidate to be the next Premier League manager to leave their position following the Reds’ Champions League exit.

However, former United defender

Neville has defended Solskjaer but knows Saturday’s derby will be an important fixture for the manager.

“There’s an awful narrative where the minute United lose a game it seems like a disaster. It’s not a disaster, but it’s disappointing. United wanted to be in the last 16,” said Neville.

“There are Manchester United teams in the past with better managers than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

– like Sir Alex Ferguson – which have gone out at this stage. It does happen, it has happened.

“It’s quite a freakish time at the moment. There are managers in the Premier League who are below United in the league but have great reputations and don’t get the stick Solskjaer gets.

“If United win on Saturday – and Ole’s teams tend to do well in big moments, I think Saturday is a big moment for the manager and for the players.

“They got punished in a group which was really, really difficult and they’re out of the competition. They’re now in the Europa League, they’ve got to go out and win that.

“The narrative from inside the club is far, far different to that outside the club, where it seems there’s a total witch hunt to get this boy out of the job.”