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Under Fire
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is under scrutiny once again for his team’s performance.
The latest criticism comes after the team’s dismal 2-1 loss to Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Inconsistency
The team’s lack of consistency since Solskjaer became manager is the most obvious detail we can point to.
After a great run to end the domestic league last season where the team went unbeaten in 19 games they’ve been subpar in the EPL this season.
Seven points from six matches and four points clear of the relegation zone is simply not good enough.
The team’s performance in the Champions League before Wednesday may be the sole reason he’s still the manager.
Struggles at Home
Another glaring flaw we see about Solskjaer’s team is their performance at Old Trafford.
They’ve got just one point in the domestic league at home this season.
More than that it’s the teams they’ve dropped points against that may cost Solskjaer his job.
We knew at the start of the season United was going to be in a dogfight with the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea, and Arsenal to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League.
To only get one point against those teams even at this early stage could come back to cost them by the end of the season.
That’s something United’s board of directors could strongly consider.
Conflicting Reports
Since their midweek loss in Turkey, there are varying reports about Solskjaer’s future as manager.
The sports magazine Mirror came out with a story claiming Solskjaer may be sacked this weekend if the team doesn’t win at Everton.
Former Chelsea star and now football pundit Jason Cundy says a loss this weekend could spell doom for Solskjaer.
“If they lose, this international break I think he goes.
“This is massive for Ole, I think if they were to lose against [Everton] then that international break… that can be a graveyard for some managers, “says Cundy.
However, Sky Sports reports that Solskjaer is still seen as a long term appointment for the Reds though perhaps on a short leash.
Who might replace him?
The name Mauricio Pochettino keeps getting tossed around as a replacement if Solskjaer is sacked.
The Argentine last managed Tottenham from 2014 till his dismissal in November of last year.
His high pressing attacking style of play is something many pundits believe would fit well with what United needs at this point.
Pochettino is no stranger to the Premier League having managed over 350 games for both Tottenham and Southampton.
As a manager, he led Spurs to a runner-up medal at the 2018/19 Champions League and helped the club finish second in the 2014/15 Carabao Cup.
In 2018/19 he was Manager of the Year at the London Football Awards.
Ole’s Thoughts
Solskjaer’s himself is laughing off suggestions his job is at stake following the loss in Turkey.
“I decline to comment on such a thing,” he said in his post-match press conference. “Of course, it’s early on and opinions are out there all the time.
“You’ve got to stay strong. I’m employed by the club to do a job and I do that to the best of my ability with my staff.”
D-Day
The moment of truth for Solskjaer might be this Saturday as his team travels to Goodison Park to face Everton.
Kickoff will be at 12:30 pm. (JSL)
