Boss Solskjaer still has the backing of the dressing room
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer retains a sizeable section of support from the United dressing room, but some players believe he is the source of the team’s problems.
M.E.N. Sport understands a number of Reds players feel the Norwegian is to blame for their variable form this season and it has become an ‘easy ride’ playing for the club.
Solskjaer became the first boss to lose six of their first 10 games in the Champions League while in charge of an English side as United were ejected from the competition by RB Leipzig on Tuesday night.
Despite reservations over the direction of the club, the majority of Reds players like Solskjaer and are backing him amid continued uncertainty over his future and the interest in Mauricio Pochettino.
The feeling within the squad is United would benefit from key changes in personnel – specifically, the probable sale of Paul Pogba. The Frenchman remains such a popular figure at the club he is still regarded as its best player by team-mates but his close friends are understanding of his desire to leave.
Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, told Tuttosport on Monday the midfielder is ‘unhappy’ at United and ‘the best solution for all concerned is if he moves in the next window’ as Pogba has no intention of extending his contract (see also p48).
The 27-year-old is about to enter the last 18 months of his Reds deal and there is a growing acceptance within the club hierarchy he will have to be sold next year.
A number of players also believe Dean Henderson is deserving of a run in the side following David de Gea’s latest slump in form.
The 23-year-old Englishman has impressed colleagues with his performances in training and made his full league debut for United in
the weekend win over West Ham.
Carrington sources told M.E.N. Sport De Gea’s training had improved after Henderson returned to the club in the summer but the Spaniard was accused of ‘bottling it’ for Leipzig forward Justin Kluivert’s eventual winner by Paul Scholes.
“David de Gea here, he bottles it,” Scholes said. “He’s scared of getting himself hurt. It should never go across the box like that ever.
“De Gea, as a goalkeeper, come out, make yourself as big as you can - you might get smashed in the face, but he turns his back away.
“He actually makes himself smaller. It’s criminal for such an experienced goalkeeper. It’s criminal.”