OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has so far failed to match David Moyes’ Premier League win rate as Manchester United manager.
With the 3-3 draw at Sheffield United on Sunday, the Norwegian managed the Red Devils in the league for the 34th time – the same number afforded to Moyes before he got the sack.
Solskjaer is feeling the Old Trafford heatCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Moyes failed to see out the first of his six-year contractCredit: PA:Empics Sport
After 34 games of the 2013/14 campaign, the former Everton boss succumbed to his old side away from home and he was handed his P45.
It was a similarly unhappy trip for Solskjaer in his 34th outing, heading to Brammall Lane and falling two goals behind before a stirring comeback was cancelled out by Oli McBurnie’s late equaliser.
It consigned United to ninth place in the table with the manager’s league record tallying 16 wins at a rate of 47 per cent, nine draws and nine defeats.
Moyes left with the Red Devils in seventh, having won 17 games at 50 per cent, drawn six and lost 11.
Both men conceded 40 goals with the former boss registering 56 goals – an amount Solskjaer is one short of.
Of course, Sir Alex Ferguson left Moyes a side that had just won the division, albeit with a major overhaul needed.
And Solskjaer took over a seriously flagging Jose Mourinho team that seemed incapable of finishing in the top four.
His initial run, winning 10 in 12, set the ex-striker up marvellously but he has since become a victim of his own success.
This season though, measured against any Manchester United standard, has been poor.
Only Norwich and Brighton have been beaten in the past two months as calls for Solskjaer’s exit have grown.
Mauricio Pochettino, freshly sacked by Tottenham, is many fans’ favourite to be speedily installed in the 46-year-old’s place.
Even when the Argentine still had a job he was on the Old Trafford radar, and now there could be little time left for Solskjaer to save his skin.
An impatient Twitter user, Mandalor, wrote: “I thought Mauricio Pochettino would be announced as the new Man United head coach today.”
Gavin added: “Hate to say it, but United can’t miss out on Poch. We just can’t. As much as I believe Ole needs more time, Pochettino is a once in a decade opportunity.”
Another fan account tweeted: “Irrespective of the result, how we came back to get a point and all that, I will say this…. Poch is available, go get him now!!!”
Man Utd boss Solskjaer says it’s great to have Mourinho back and shrugs off threat of Pochettino
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
