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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.
*Follow Tom McDermott on Twitter…

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EDUARDO CAMAVINGA has signed with Gareth Bale’s agent, Jonathan Barnett, opening the door for a Premier League move.
Last week, the Rennes wonderkid, 18, sacked his agent, Moussa Sissoko, with a host of European giants chasing his signature.

Man Utd target Camavinga has signed with Bale’s agent, Jonathan BarnettCredit: Rex Features

Gareth Bale’s agent, Jonathan Barnett, has signed up wonderkid CamavingaCredit: Reuters

Real Madrid have long shown an interest in the midfielder and likely would have tried to sign him in the summer, but for being hit hard financially by the coronavirus pandemic.
More recently though, Manchester United have emerged as one of the front-runners to sign Camavinga.
United chief Ed Woodward also gave boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a boost by revealing he would be backed heavily in the summer transfer window.
And having now signed with Barnett’s Stellar Group – who also have Chelsea star Mason Mount on their books – French outlet Le Parisien has claimed it opens the door to a Premier League move.

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Barnett revealed the news on Friday, saying: “We are the official representatives of Eduardo Camavinga.
“I thank the family for their trust in me and our agency.
“I look forward to cooperating with them to ensure Eduardo’s best interests.”

Jorge Mendes, whose Gestifute agency looks after Cristiano Ronaldo, was rumoured to be keen on signing Camavinga.

Jonathan Barnett has added Camavinga to his roster, which already includes Bale and MountCredit: West Bromwich Albion FC

Solskjaer has been linked with making a 2021 move for CamavingaCredit: AFP or licensors

Pini Zahavi – who sorted Neymar’s world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain as well as managing Rio Ferdinand’s career – was also linked with adding the youngster to his client list.
But Camavinga and his family opted to sign for Barnett’s Stellar Group in a move Premier League clubs will hope means he’s open to a move to England.
United, Real Madrid and PSG are the three clubs most closely linked with the Frenchman after missing out on him in the summer.
Real want to unite Camavinga, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe at the Bernabeu to usher in a bold, new Galacticos era.
Juventus may also be considering a swoop – with Camavinga thought to be available for just £45m next year.

Watch Eduardo Camavinga, 17, score stunning overhead kick on first start for France More

MANCHESTER UNITED travel to West Ham on Saturday with injury concerns over David De Gea and Marcus Rashford.
Rashford is an injury concern after hurting his shoulder during the 3-1 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

How Man Utd could line-up vs West Ham on Saturday

De Gea is still feeling the pain after injuring himself during the nervy 3-2 win over Southampton last weekend.
The Spaniard started in goal against PSG midweek, but could be rested in order to make a full recovery.
Should that be the case, Dean Henderson would start between the sticks for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
In defence, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Alex Telles are likely to keep their places in the full-back slots in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford
Harry Maguire could be joined by Victor Lindelof in the heart of defence, with Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe pushing the Swede for a starting spot.
In the Man Utd midfield, Fred is available despite being needlessly sent-off in the Champions League.
However, facing West Ham, Solskjaer could opt to partner Scott McTominay with a more attack-minded star.

Donny van de Beek is surely first in line to get the starting spot, with Paul Pogba also fighting for his place along with Nemanja Matic.

Another way Solskjaer could send out his troops vs West Ham

Bruno Fernandes is a certainty to keep his place in the No10 position, behind Edinson Cavani in attack after his impressive run of form.
As for Rashford, Solskjaer said: “Marcus has been training this morning.
“Not fully but he’s joined in with the group. Obviously, his shoulder stopped him finishing the game, so he’s been getting treatment and hopefully he’ll be part of the squad that travels, he’s having treatment after training.”
Should Rashford not be passed fit for the Hammers, it’s likely Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial would start on the wings.
Daniel James and Juan Mata will also hope to force themselves into contention.
The game at the London Stadium kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday.
It will be the two clubs’ first Premier League game with fans in attendance since March, with 2,000 allowed into the ground for the game.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts to Man Utd’s 3-1 loss to PSG More

MANCHESTER UNITED chief Ed Woodward has vowed to back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a ‘long-term recruitment approach, focused on summer transfer windows’.
Solskjaer’s position at the club has been scrutinised a number of times during his brief reign.

Woodward has vowed to back Solskjaer in summer transfer windowsCredit: Getty – Contributor

Huge highs have been mixed with some bitter lows, most-recently in the 3-1 Champions League defeat at home to Paris Saint-Germain.
The loss left their place in the competition on a knife-edge, level on points with both PSG and RB Leipzig with just one game to play – away to the Bundesliga giants.
But United’s executive vice-chairman Woodward has long been a supporter of Solskjaer.
And at a recent Manchester United fans’ forum meeting, he confirmed once again he stands by the Norwegian.

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In the virtual meeting, Woodward admitted United needed to work harder to get back to winning trophies.
But he added he would commit to spending money in summer transfer windows in a bid to help Solskjaer achieve that goal, saying he ‘believes’ in the current boss.
United have been linked with the likes of £108million-rated Jadon Sancho this year, as well as Sergio Ramos, Ousmane Dembele and many others.

Looking forward to the future, Woodward said: “What happens on the field is clearly our top priority.

“While it’s not the same without fans in the stadium, we’ve seen lots of highs since our last meeting in April.
“[For example] that 14-game unbeaten run to finish third in last season’s Premier League run and great wins against PSG and RB Leipzig on our return to the Champions League this season.
“Of course, we recognise there’s more hard work ahead to achieve the consistency needed to win trophies.
“But we see positive signs on the pitch and the training ground that reinforce our belief in the progress being made by Ole, his coaching team and the players.
“I told this forum back in April that we remained committed to strengthening the squad, while being disciplined in our spending during the pandemic.
“I believe we’ve delivered on that, with the additions we made during the summer taking our total net spending to over €200m since summer 2019 – more than any other major European club over that period.
“We will continue to support Ole with a planned, long-term approach to recruitment, focused on the summer windows.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts to Man Utd’s 3-1 loss to PSG More

MANCHESTER UNITED fans have been left licking their lips at the prospect of Amad Diallo’s arrival at the club in January. The Ivorian teenager, 18, agreed to join Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in a £37million, deadline day deal in the summer. However, as part of the deal, Diallo is to stay at Atalanta – where […] More