MANCHESTER UNITED are still in control of their Champions League future but the 3-1 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain means it’s ‘squeaky-bum time’ now.
After impressive victories against PSG away and RB Leipzig at home, United now find themselves level on points with both teams and could miss out on a place in the knockout stages.
Woodward claims he will back Solskjaer next summer – but the boss might not last that longCredit: Reuters
Man Utd could be eliminated at the Champions League group stage with defeat to RB LeipzigCredit: Getty Images – Getty
United are in this position because of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s failure to make the correct decisions during the defeat against PSG.
Fred should have seen red for a headbutt and escaped with a yellow card, but it was at that moment that the manager should have acted.
Solskjaer needed to either have the midfielder removed or have waited until half-time at the latest and subbed him.
Prior to Fred’s dismissal there were signs that United could score again and go on and win the game.
But as we saw earlier in the season against Tottenham in the Premier League, as soon as United lose a player, they wilt and are easily exploited.
Ed Woodward said this week the club will support Solskjaer in future summer transfer windows.
But, if United stumble out of the Champions League at the group stage, and miss out on the top four, it’s hard to see him surviving past next May.
It’s a strange line from the United executive vice-chairman, especially after the summer and his scattergun approach to signing players.
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That was the time to support the manager after Solskjaer, to his credit, guided United to a third-placed finish in the Premier League.
Part of United and Solskjaer’s problem that is often overlooked, is Woodward’s previous record with existing players.
Too many have been handed long and expensive contract extensions, which means there’s several members of the squad who appear to be happy to pick up a pay-cheque each month and not offer much more.
Make no mistake though, Solskjaer’s future hangs on what happens between now and next May.
There will be no knee-jerk reaction from the club, but once qualification for the Champions League becomes mathematically impossible, then Woodward will wield the axe.
Woodward talked about the ‘progress’ United were making under Solskjaer, but if the season ends without Champions League football, then that’s a sign United aren’t heading in the right direction.
Ed Woodward has promised to back Solskjaer in summer transfer windowsCredit: PA:Press Association
One of the biggest jobs in world football requires one of the biggest names in charge.
United have been there before with Jose Mourinho and Lous van Gaal, and it doesn’t always work – but sticking with Solskjaer after two years in charge hasn’t brought any great success either.
Over a prolonged period of time United fans should ask themselves one question: does the current manager get the best from his team?
The answer is probably not, and if United’s inconsistent form continues it’s hard to see them reaching their domestic targets this campaign.
Solskjaer has had two years in charge and most United supporters still want him to succeed.
Failure to qualify from their Champions League group and it might just be the beginning of the end. There’s a big week ahead.
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Simon Jordan slams Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and says he should leave Man Utd
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
