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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appointed as permanent manager for Manchester United - The right choice?

Is Ole Gunnar Solskjær the right choice?

  • Total voters
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Reports suggest Ed Woodward will have no hesitation firing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer if Manchester United's season continues to implode.
 
Good win for United. With Cavani and Telles they now have a seriously good team.
 
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is frustrated at how the board failed to land any of his top transfer targets in the summer window.
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Manchester United continue to back manager despite Istanbul Basaksehir defeat

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer retains the support of Manchester United and is still seen as a long-term appointment, Sky Sports News has been told.

Solskjaer has come under fresh scrutiny in the wake of Wednesday's 2-1 defeat at Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League - their first in the competition this season.

United are currently 15th in the Premier League after losing 1-0 against Arsenal on Sunday, but the club has no plans to replace Solskjaer - despite reports linking former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino with the role at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer laughed off suggestions his job is under threat after the defeat 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."

United return to Premier League action on Saturday away at Everton, who have also lost their last two matches against Southampton and Newcastle.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...ck-manager-despite-istanbul-basaksehir-defeat
 
Manchester United approach Mauricio Pochettino about becoming manager

Manchester United have approached Mauricio Pochettino with a view to him replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the club's next manager.

The MEN understands United have made contact with Pochettino's representatives amid the team's dismal form under Solskjaer. The MEN reported last December Pochettino wants to take over as United manager and his stance on the role is not believed to have changed.

Insiders say the United hierarchy were privately backing Solskjaer prior to Wednesday night's shambolic Champions League defeat by Istanbul Basaksehir and are reluctant to part company with the Norwegian so early in the season. But if United lose at Everton on Saturday they could end the weekend 17th in the Premier League table.

United have lost three of their six league games already this term and have not lost four of their first seven in a league campaign since 1989-90. The trip to Everton is United's last game for two weeks due to the November internationals; a period that has become synonymous with top-flight sackings.

Solskjaer was asked whether he feared for his job after the 2-1 reverse in Istanbul and replied: "I decline to comment on such a thing. 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."

Pochettino declared his intention to return to a managerial role during an appearance on Monday Night Football this week. "I am always ready to go again and be involved in the game," Pochettino said. "It's not stress when you are working, it's not stress going into the training round to prepare the match and to compete.

"I hope to go back soon so we can start again to work. I am looking forward to being back in the game. I love this game but it's difficult, we are inside and working on doing things. That's the reality."

United would not have to pay Pochettino's former club Tottenham a compensation fee because the deadline passed in May. Pochettino, 48, left Spurs after five-and-a-half years last November.

United lined up Solskjaer to replace Jose Mourinho as caretaker manager in mid-October 2018 - two months before United dismissed the Portuguese on December 18.

Solskjaer agreed a new contract with his parent club Molde in early December so the Norwegian side would be entitled to a compensation fee when Solskjaer moved to Manchester. Molde received two separate instalments of £500,000 from United for Solskjaer's caretaker and permanent manager appointments.

Mourinho was sounded out by United four months before he replaced Louis van Gaal and the Dutchman was contacted weeks prior to David Moyes' dismissal.

Moyes and Van Gaal were jettisoned after United failed to qualify for the Champions League in 2014 and 2016. Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward decided in the aftermath of the 3-1 defeat at Liverpool Mourinho had to go, with United 11 points adrift of the final Champions League qualifying place after 17 matches

The earliest United have sacked a post-war manager is Ron Atkinson, who departed on November 6 1986.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...s/man-united-news-pochettino-manager-19223901
 
Ole was never good enough to be a starter for Man United and he will never be good enough to win the league/UCL for United as manager.

Man United is still a massive, massive club and it should not settle for mediocrity. Few managers in the world would not want his job and the board has the funds as well.

United should not waste time delaying the inevitable.
 
Mamoon said:
Ole was never good enough to be a starter for Man United and he will never be good enough to win the league/UCL for United as manager.

Man United is still a massive, massive club and it should not settle for mediocrity. Few managers in the world would not want his job and the board has the funds as well.

United should not waste time delaying the inevitable.
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My money is on Poch to replace Ole by the new year
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Man Utd boss believes he is right man at Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still believes he is the right man to change the fortunes at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer has been under huge pressure after successive defeats, including Wednesday's Champions League loss to Istanbul Basaksehir.

United go to Everton on Saturday (12:30 GMT) and some media reports claim a heavy defeat will see him lose his job.

"If I don't trust my beliefs and values, who else will?" he said.

"I don't look at one or two results and fall like a house of cards."

Soslkjaer said he has always had an "open and honest dialogue" with the club and says those in charge at Old Trafford have "shown strong leadership".

Prior to defeat in Turkey, United lost at home to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, leaving them 15th in the table.

Anything short of victory over Everton on Saturday will mean his side record their worst start to a Premier League season at the seven-game mark.

Despite the poor position, Solskjaer says he is confident his players will react at Goodison Park.

"There are demands on a Man United player, coach and manager," he added. "There is an expectation. We have to be tough mentally.

"We are the best and biggest club in the world. [After Wednesday] we didn't expect anything but criticism. It is how you deal with it.

"The boys are ready for a reaction. We are all hurt. It is never easy when you lose two games on the bounce but that is football."

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with a move to Old Trafford.

At his Friday news conference, Solskjaer told reporters he is as confident of achieving success at the club as he was when appointed in 2018.

He said only a matter of weeks ago the club were spoken of as "the best thing since sliced bread" when they earned Champions League wins over Paris St-Germain and RB Leipzig.

"There is always pressure and expectation on us," added the former United striker. "I became a man at Manchester United. I have learned how to deal with good and bad times. Every game of football becomes history quickly. We have to go to Goodison Park with a positive frame of mind."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54840289
 
Get Mauricio Pochettino in as soon as possible.

He could be the right man at Old Trafford, given the job is too big for Ole.
 
Just as his back is against the wall, Ole pulls a result out of the bag again; a crucial 3-1 win away to Everton. Not dead and buried yet...
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Man Utd back boss as quarterly financial results published early in error

Manchester United remain "absolutely committed" to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, says executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

Woodward's comments were contained in the club's first-quarter results, released early in error on Thursday.

Solskjaer came under intense pressure following successive defeats by Arsenal and Istanbul Baseksehir.

But Woodward said the club "remain absolutely committed to the positive path we are on under Ole".

United are 14th in the Premier League, having won three and lost three of their opening seven matches.

The electronic publisher that releases United's regulatory statements was doing a test on Thursday and incorrectly went live with the figures. They were not scheduled to be published until Friday lunchtime GMT.

United had already said they would not be holding an investors' conference call with the results, published three weeks after their 2019-20 final results were issued.

Overall revenue was £109m, down 19.5% compared with the same quarter last year.

Matchday revenue fell significantly as matches continued to be played behind closed doors, but United still generated £1.7m, through a combination of membership sales and rental income from property owned around Old Trafford.

Broadcast revenue was up as a result of Premier League games being played in July, while commercial revenue has dropped 25.7% to £59.7m.

The company will pay a $0.09 (6.86p) dividend on shares on 7 January, 2021.

Woodward added: "While the Covid-19 pandemic continues to cause significant disruption, we are optimistic that the recovery and normalisation phase is gradually coming into view.

"The club's resilience and our strong commercial business continue to provide a solid foundation and gives us confidence in our long-term outlook beyond the pandemic, both on and off the pitch."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54924667
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Manchester United boss confident over long-term success

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Manchester United are "going places" under his management and his priority is leading the club to long-term success, rather than proving a point over his future.

The 47-year-old Norwegian, who received backing from the Old Trafford hierarchy amid renewed scrutiny earlier this month, sees his three-year contract expire at the end of next season.

Solskjaer, whose side sit 13th in the Premier League, will aim to extend his side's three-game winning run against high-flying Southampton on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

"We live in a results business and all I want is for Man United to improve as a team and as a club," Solskjaer said.

"I have very good dialogue with the club all of the time.

"You have to think long-term and short-term - and I would never ever think that this is my chance to prove a point and that it's all about me.

"That's not what it's about here. Every decision I make is for the good of Manchester United.

"For me, it's about results and if we keep improving we have a very good opportunity because this team and this squad is going places."

United secured Champions League qualification on the final day of last season after an upturn in form during the second half of the campaign.

Solskjaer also led the club to three cup semi-finals - all ending in defeat - but believes his squad are getting to grips with the demands of an "unpredictable" campaign.

"Teams that win the league put good runs together, consistent ones. I know this season is more uncertain, but if you look at the last 40 games with this team, we win two draw one, win two lose one. So we are getting consistent.

"Look at the stats since we got the latest transfers and since Bruno came in.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...-united-boss-confident-over-long-term-success
 
He hangs on for dear life.

This time Cavani saved his skin, but how much longer will this go on.
 
And out of the Champions League they go.

Just how much longer will the owners put up with this.
 
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Manunited18 said:
The likes of spurs are in Europa league also, going to be difficult to win that.
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Id pick Utd, Spurs havent won a tea cup for decades, bottle it. Big blow for a big club but doing welli in the league so Ole is here to stay for another few months at least.
 
KingKhanWC said:
Id pick Utd, Spurs havent won a tea cup for decades, bottle it. Big blow for a big club but doing welli in the league so Ole is here to stay for another few months at least.
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Mourinho is a winner. His Spurs side are stronger than the United team he won Europa with few seasons back.

Spurs are no longer bottle-jobs under him. If Madrid don’t drop into Europa, Spurs will be favorites because of Mourinho factor.
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hits back at Mino Raiola over Paul Pogba comments

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claimed his Manchester United side were "unlucky" in RB Leipzig and hit back at Mino Raiola over his comments regarding Paul Pogba.

Pogba's agent, Raiola, spoke out on the eve of the crucial fixture at Leipzig - where United were eliminated from the Champions League after losing 3-2 - insisting he needed to leave the club in the summer transfer window.

The France midfielder was named on the bench in Germany but came on and had a positive influence as United almost came from 3-0 down to earn a point, which would have been enough to qualify.

"The squad is fine - they're a team and they stick together," Solskjaer said.

"As soon as Paul's agent realises this is a team sport and we work together, the better. That's probably maybe the last thing I say on that. I don't want to spend energy on that."

When asked if Pogba is happy at the club, Solskjaer said: "You'll have to ask Paul. I'm not going to speak for him. Paul's focused on doing his best for the team. He's working hard in training.

"Now is not the time to discuss ins and outs at the club."

Solskjaer, who must ready his side for a Manchester derby against City on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, said his team were not good enough on the night but were unlucky in the end not to level the game at 3-3 at the Red Bull Arena.

He told BT Sport: "There was great spirit and comeback but we started too late. You can't give a team a 3-0 lead.

"I thought we were unlucky towards the end. The character and the effort was there.

"We weren't good enough. In a difficult group we started well but the big turning point was the defeat to Istanbul. That's where we lost points that we should have had.

"You can't feel sorry for yourself. We have to focus on Saturday."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...ed-for-man-utds-crunch-champions-league-clash
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's time could be up at Manchester United if they lose derby, says Paul Merson

Paul Merson says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's time at Manchester United could be up if they lost the Manchester derby on Saturday.

After exiting the Champions League on Tuesday night following a 3-2 defeat by RB Leipzig, Solskjaer and United face Manchester City on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, having found some form in the Premier League.

Though Merson feels the game could suit United's style of play, the Sky Sports pundit says a defeat for Solskjaer should spell the end of his time at Old Trafford, but only if the United board still regard the club as among the best in the world on the pitch as well as off it.

Here, Merson also discusses United's reliance on Bruno Fernandes, why Dean Henderson should start on Saturday, how the game could pan out, and insists if City go 1-0 up, it's game over for United.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...er-united-if-they-lose-derby-says-paul-merson
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Manchester United will not 'press the panic button'

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United will not "press the panic button" just because they were knocked out of the Champions League.

The 3-2 defeat at RB Leipzig on Tuesday extended United's poor recent record in the competition.

It also brought more questions about Solskjaer's ability to get the best from his squad.

United sources have continued to insist the club is fully behind their manager and the forward trajectory is solid.

But it is not a message that has gone down well with some fans, who feel a change is required.

United's hierarchy rejects that view completely and the message of stability was reinforced by Solskjaer as he looked ahead to an Old Trafford encounter with Manchester City on Saturday.

"It is important not to press the panic button every time because in football you cannot win every single game," he said.

"There are games you lose that hurt more than others and some losses have more consequence than others.

"We have handled setbacks quite well and the reality is we are out of the Champions League for the rest of the season. We have to move on and get back into it."

Anthony Martial will return to the United squad after missing the trip to Germany through injury, although fellow striker Edinson Cavani remains a doubt.

Solskjaer was also supportive of goalkeeper David de Gea, who was criticised by former United midfielder Paul Scholes for his part in RB Leipzig's decisive third goal on Tuesday.

And the United manager avoided answering a question about Paul Pogba, whose agent Mino Raiola said the France midfielder wants to leave the club in an interview that was published on the eve of the Leipzig defeat.

"I speak to my players on daily basis and Paul Pogba is no different," said Solskjaer when asked if the paid had spoken in the aftermath of the Champions League exit.

"Whatever anyone's representatives say can't affect me. I have said all I want to about that."

Solskjaer is 'strong enough' - Guardiola
Manchester United won three of the four meetings between the sides last season including doing the Premier League double over their neighbours for the first time in a decade.

But City manager Pep Guardiola insists the result of Saturday's game would not define either club's season

"It is not a knockout game, it is three more points," he said. "That is important, of course, for the quality of the opponent, but there are a lot of fixtures to come and we will try to win our games."

Guardiola also expects his opposite number to handle the scrutiny.

He added: "I don't have to give him support because he is strong enough and knows how this job works. [People say] when we win we are a genius and when we lose we have to be sacked.

"It happens at United and all around the world, it is a reality."

On 19 December it will be two years since Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho as boss.

Although there are plenty of observers who say they still cannot see a coherent plan from a side that has gone behind in eight out of 10 Premier League matches this season, the Norwegian disagrees.

"I feel we are getting better and better and looking more like the Manchester United team I want," he said.

"We have fast, dynamic attackers and good players with individual qualities. Everyone says we don't have consistency but we have won the last four in the league, so hopefully we can carry that on."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55278084
 
From “sack him he’ll never be good enough” to “oh hang on let’s give him a chance we’re 2nd in the table” - the pressure is off Ole for the time being. Football fans are a fickle lot.
 
Gabbar Singh said:
From “sack him he’ll never be good enough” to “oh hang on let’s give him a chance we’re 2nd in the table” - the pressure is off Ole for the time being. Football fans are a fickle lot.
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Well to his credit he’s let the results do the talking ...can’t stand Utd but with Liverpool looking a shadow of the side they did last season Man U are well into this title race ...

They play us next ...that will be a good indicator of where they are...our style suits them imo...I was a lot more confident about the Chelsea game ...
 
shaykh said:
Well to his credit he’s let the results do the talking ...can’t stand Utd but with Liverpool looking a shadow of the side they did last season Man U are well into this title race ...

They play us next ...that will be a good indicator of where they are...our style suits them imo...I was a lot more confident about the Chelsea game ...
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Liverpool, even with a few key players out are still the best team in PL. They are big favourites. And if United lose Fernandez to injury or suspension they will be in deep trouble.

So you are Villa fan? I just love watching Grealish play, looking forward to the game tomorrow.
 
IAJ said:
Liverpool, even with a few key players out are still the best team in PL. They are big favourites. And if United lose Fernandez to injury or suspension they will be in deep trouble.

So you are Villa fan? I just love watching Grealish play, looking forward to the game tomorrow.
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They are 13 points down on last season ...and the thing about Liverpool is their fit players are underpar...what’s happened to Mane?...Salah missing sitters...can’t blame Van Dijk being injured for that one ...

PE teacher is doing well for you...but yeah without Fernandes you are a different proposition...he’s to you what Jack is to us ...that said Rashford is having a fantastic season...

Yeh looking forward to tomorrow as well...be a massive statement if we beat you especially considering how we usually are an easy 6 points for you ...

I do however think City are quietly getting on with business...I reckon they’ll win the league ...
 
shaykh said:
They are 13 points down on last season ...and the thing about Liverpool is their fit players are underpar...what’s happened to Mane?...Salah missing sitters...can’t blame Van Dijk being injured for that one ...

PE teacher is doing well for you...but yeah without Fernandes you are a different proposition...he’s to you what Jack is to us ...that said Rashford is having a fantastic season...

Yeh looking forward to tomorrow as well...be a massive statement if we beat you especially considering how we usually are an easy 6 points for you ...

I do however think City are quietly getting on with business...I reckon they’ll win the league ...
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Bro, I am a Leeds United fan, so Man U is the last team I would support. I am from Norway and since Ole is also Norwegian, that’s why I posted here:)
 
IAJ said:
Bro, I am a Leeds United fan, so Man U is the last team I would support. I am from Norway and since Ole is also Norwegian, that’s why I posted here:)
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Oh my bad...how did that happen?...foreigners usually end up supporting the ‘big’ teams...Haalands dad?...

You guys are doing alright ...leaking goals for fun...and played right into Utds hands...but you’re gonna win more than enough games this season...

Where are you hoping to finish?...
 
Daylight robbery against Villa.

No way was it a penalty..

Disgusting
 
IMMY69 said:
Daylight robbery against Villa.

No way was it a penalty..

Disgusting
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It’s Man Utd...they were always going to score a penalty ...last season Bruno jumps back onto Konsa and it was a pen...this time Pogba trips up himself ...

I can guarantee that we would have never had that decision given ...

That said I will say this...Utd are the best side we have played this season performance wise...we were good today ...so were Utd...wish Lindelof played and not Bailly...Pogba too was really on it...
 
When Manchester United first looked as though they were edging towards ending their 26-year title drought in 1993, their superstitious fans refused to jeopardise it by singing songs about winning the league.

There are no fans at Old Trafford - or anywhere else in the Premier League for that matter - at present. But almost three decades on it is not hard to imagine the same emotions taking hold if there were supporters in the stands.

For United and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, derided, ridiculed and lambasted for the majority of his two years in charge, have got themselves into position of contention, almost when no-one was looking.

Friday's 2-1 victory against Aston Villa took them level with old rivals Liverpool at the top of the Premier League. Apart from the opening weekend of the 2016-17 campaign, that situation has not existed since 2009.

It has created the mouth-watering prospect of a rare meeting between England's two biggest and most successful clubs at Anfield on 17 January, when both can dream of title glory.

Match report - Man Utd 2-1 Aston Villa
Beating a much-improved Villa took United's current unbeaten run in the Premier League to 10 games. Eight of those games have been victories.

The only time United have been on a run of that length, with so many wins, since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 was when Solskjaer first took charge.

Yet it is worth noting that in every single title-winning season under the man who watched these proceedings unfold from his customary seat in the directors' box, United put exactly that kind of sequence together, usually longer and sometimes more than once.

Manchester United and Liverpool sit level on points at the top of the table after 16 games
This was a tense affair. You wouldn't have known it from Solskjaer's demeanour.

When David de Gea plunged to his right to turn away Matty Cash's injury-time strike and even later when Eric Bailly flung himself in the way of Keinan Davis' goal-bound shot, Solskjaer remained the same, hands stuffed deep into the pockets of a jacket zipped right up to cover his mouth.

But those were big moments in a big win. You could tell that by the way three of Solskjaer's coaches nervously paced the technical area as those five minutes of injury time ticked by and goalkeeping chief Richard Hartis bellowed "calm" at the United players, when it was clear he was feeling anything but.

Then there was the way Bailly's team-mates leapt on him at the final whistle, jubilant at the Ivorian for putting his body on the line in the collective cause.

"There's a reason for the colour of my hair," said Solskjaer afterwards, his grey top clearly visible. "We should have played the game out better but we like to do it the hard way."

It was not a surprise Bruno Fernandes was the match-winner. In 30 Premier League appearances since his arrival last January transformed United's fortunes, his penalty was the Portuguese's 33rd goal involvement.

For months it seemed Fernandes was carrying Solskjaer's team.

But it does go deeper. Their squad has a depth few can match. In this of all seasons, that could prove vital. Edinson Cavani was not involved after starting a three-game ban but, as with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial - United's other goalscorer against Villa - De Gea and Bailly, the Uruguyan has made vital, unrecognised, contributions.

Then there are those at the top.

At times over the past 24 months, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been virtually alone in defending the Norwegian, continuing to insist he was the right man for the job when all the evidence suggested otherwise.

With the man widely touted as Solskjaer's replacement, Mauricio Pochettino, preparing to return to the game at Paris St-Germain, Woodward used his new year programme notes to outline what he sees as the bigger picture around his manager - appointed in the first place to perform a 'cultural reboot' after the upheaval of the Jose Mourinho era.

"There are many positive statistics showing the progress made under Ole in the past year but they tell only part of the story," he said.

"Just as important is the work we see being done behind the scenes to build a winning culture consistent with the club's traditions of attacking football played by youthful, hard-working teams fusing homegrown talent with top-class recruits."

To that end, while United sources are predicting a quiet January transfer-wise, one player who is arriving, provided all the post-Brexit paperwork gets done, is 18-year-old Ivorian Amad Diallo.

This is the type of player Solskjaer's United are trying to sign. Youngsters with potential. It is the same with Jadon Sancho even if the figures around the England and Borussia Dortmund winger are substantially higher than the £19m they will spend on Diallo.

Solskjaer said after the game United "have improved quite a lot in a year".

Evidently though, United are not the finished article. There are players Solskjaer would be willing to sell this month for a start - although whether anyone will come up with the wages to tempt Phil Jones, Sergio Romero or Marcos Rojo is another matter. Trickier decisions need to be made around loaning Brandon Williams to Southampton and the future of Jesse Lingard, on the bench against Villa.

A new central defender remains on the shopping list, in addition to a right-sided forward Solskjaer had hoped Sancho would have been by now.

But the doubts that have persisted so long are starting to disappear.

No-one at United will say they are back. But going to Anfield as something close to equals - at least according to the table - shows United are getting there.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55511780
 
shaykh said:
Oh my bad...how did that happen?...foreigners usually end up supporting the ‘big’ teams...Haalands dad?...

You guys are doing alright ...leaking goals for fun...and played right into Utds hands...but you’re gonna win more than enough games this season...

Where are you hoping to finish?...
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Well I have been supporting Leeds since 1987 so it was and still is a «big» team. Bad financial management almost ruined the team completely. I just hope we can avoid relegation, looking good thus far though we have been hammered by Spurts today. But that is bound to happen when a newly promoted team are missing to international defenders in Koch and Llorente.

I am sure if we survive we will get bigger players next season and will be back to our best in 2-3 years.

Anyways getting of topic here since it is an Ole thread.
 
Showed his inexperience tonight versus Everton.

2-0 up at half time and then 3-2 up into injury time, he could have killed the game off, but allowed Everton back into the match.

2 points dropped.
 
Nobody not even Ole expects Utd to win the league.

Top 4 is great for both. He's doing as best as one can expect.
 
Manchester United financial results: Ed Woodward seeing clear progress under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford

Manchester United are showing clear signs of progress under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, said executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward after the club's latest financial results were announced.

United revealed their second-quarter fiscal 2021 results on Thursday, with debt up 16 per cent to £455.5m following 12 months of the coronavirus pandemic.

United are second in the Premier League and in a strong position to qualify for next season's Champions League, but trail leaders Manchester City, who they play on Sunday - live on Sky Sports - by 14 points.

They have also progressed into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and reached the last 16 in the Europa League after they exited the Champions League in the group stage.

Woodward says it has been an "extraordinarily challenging 12 months for football and society as a whole" but is optimistic about the club's prospects going forward because of the "rapid rollout of vaccines in the UK".

"While the disruption to our operations remains significant, we are pleased by the tremendous resilience the club has demonstrated through the pandemic, underpinned by the dedication of our people and the strength of our commercial business," said Woodward.

"We have been reminded of the importance of football as a source of community, entertainment and pride to fans around the world, even as we have sorely missed them at Old Trafford.

"The progress made by Ole and the players this season is clear and our thriving Academy and Women's team are also adding to the optimism we feel about the future on and off the pitch."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...ss-under-ole-gunnar-solskjaer-at-old-trafford
 
But we were told he is better than Pep and Klopp by Petro Dollars [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]. :ssmith

Has hardly used Van Der Beek because he doesn't know how. Signed AWB who can't do anything in the final 3rd,Maguire for 80 million and he can't push up the pitch due to lack of pace.

The individual quality of Bruno and Pogba has saved him a lot. I really don't see how giving Ole more money is the answer tbh.
 
As a united fan I feel we have regressed under Olli, morinio finished second in the league but won the Europa and league cup , it's time to move Olli on, no way he can challenge pep klopp Tuchel for the major trophies and preferably we should approach zidanne or conte
 
Lol [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] fair play to you. Emery beat Ole. You did call it!

Now where is PetroDollars?
 
Ole is a terrible coach. He has no grasp of tactics whatsoever and this can be epitomised by what was mentioned in commentary by Gary Neville, earlier in the season. He said Man U have had to rely on individual brilliance and wasn’t overly impressed with the quality of the football he was seeing in spite of the winning run they had at the time.

Ole has a £1bn squad and somehow still can’t even compete for the league or win this year’s Europa. This Villarreal team isn’t even half as good as Man U. The reason why they won is because Emery is more than twice the manager that Ole is. That’s how awful the latter really is as a football manager.

Ole isn’t just inferior to Emery, he is also far inferior to Arteta.

BUT BUT

According to our 1 rupee analyst, who goes by the name of PetroDollars, Ole is superior to Guardiola and Klopp :))
 
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topspin said:
Ole is a terrible coach. He has no grasp of tactics whatsoever and this can be epitomised by what was mentioned in commentary by Gary Neville, earlier in the season. He said Man U have had to rely on individual brilliance and wasn’t overly impressed with the quality of the football he was seeing in spite of the winning run they had at the time.

Ole has a £1bn squad and somehow still can’t even compete for the league or win this year’s Europa. This Villarreal team isn’t even half as good as Man U. The reason why they won is because Emery is more than twice the manager that Ole is. That’s how awful the latter really is as a football manager.

Ole isn’t just inferior to Emery, he is also far inferior to Arteta.

BUT BUT

According to our 1 rupee analyst, who goes by the name of PetroDollars, Ole is superior to Guardiola and Klopp :))
Click to expand...

When games go to penalties it goes either way, we should have won the match in 90 minutes, VR made it difficult and Rashford had a terrible day missing a sitter.

Having said that its funny how the same pundits come out season after season claiming ole cant even get top 4 and will be sacked tmrw, yet here he is still proving those people wrong, he might have not won a trophy but he has still delivered our best football post fergie with weaker squads and no depth then those CL winning managers who splashed an awfull lot of cash on silly purchases.

Saying emery won the match because hes an tactical master shows how much you know about football, all he did was park the bus for 90 minutes and had luck, but funny how you idolise a manager who cant even qualify for the europa or beat VR over 2 legs which says it all.
 
Ole is simply a poor manager. He has no tactics. I have said it before and I will say it again - Bruno’s signing is the only reason why he hasn’t been sacked yet.

United has a very good squad and a lot of money. They need to break the bank for Conte who is miles above Ole and right up there with Pep and Klopp.

He is a winner and a master tactician. He can win the PL with United within two seasons.

Ole will never deliver the big trophies. He is simply not a top-tier manager. A club like United should not settle for mediocrity like him.

He did his part and overachieved but he cannot take the club further. They need an elite manager now who can take them to the next level.
 
United persisting with Ole is like a team that has world class midfielders and wingers but settles for a striker who can only deliver 15 goals per season.

United must understand that Ole is simply incapable of delivering major trophies when you have the likes of Pep and Klopp managing clubs with deep pockets.

They must get a manager who is of comparable caliber, and Conte is that manager. He will jump at the chance of signing for United and if United passes the opportunity and sticks with Ole, it will be their loss.
 
Ole Gunnar should have made some changes much earlier instead of waiting 100 minutes. United was the better side in the second half also, but in the extra time they didn't run as much as Villareal who already had changed half of their side by then and had fresh legs.

Sunny had already fielded his best side and looked scared to take off any of his 'star-players'. James should have entered just after the got the equalizer in 2nd half and he could have made life tough for the defenders with his pace.

Both the manager and the players were poor yesterday. Only Cavani looked like he wanted to win.
 
Ole made the same mistakes against VR as Arteta did.
Should have brought on James at 60 minutes (or even sooner). Played Henderson in goal and taken Rashford (who was having a terrible game) off.
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer felt his Manchester United players "didn't turn up" on the big stage as his team slipped to a Europa League final defeat to Villarreal.

David de Gea's missed penalty consigned United to a dramatic 11-10 penalty shootout defeat against Unai Emery's side in the Europa League final following a 1-1 draw in Gdansk.

United had just two shots on target in the match as extra time failed to illuminate a poor contest, but Geronimo Rulli would prove the hero during a pulsating shootout, first converting his own penalty before keeping out De Gea's effort as Unai Emery clinched a fourth Europa League title.

This felt a huge missed opportunity for Solskjaer as his quest for a first trophy as Manchester United manager goes on.

"We didn't turn up," he told BT Sport.

"We didn't play as well as we can do. We started alright and they scored from their only shot on target but it was disappointing to concede a goal on a set play. We pushed and pressed and got the goal. But after we scored we couldn't control the game and dominate the way which we wanted.

"They made it hard for us by closing the spaces. We had the majority of the possession and they defended well. We didn't create enough big chances.

"Now isn't the time to put the finger on what I would have done differently but when you don't come away with the trophy you've not done everything right.

"We are getting closer and closer [to winning titles] we were one kick away today from having a trophy. But we've got to have the desire to come back next year and improve. The only way to get the margins in your side is to work harder and better."

When asked in his post-match press conference if it's been a successful season for Manchester United, he replied "No."

"We need to get better, simple as. We've done really well this season to come through a difficult start and no pre-season, losing three of the first six games. We pushed in the league and got closer to the top than we thought at that point. And we got to a final but you need to win these finals to make it a good season."

"We, who are here now, need to do better, work better, harder, cleverer. But two or three players to strengthen the starting XI and the squad altogether is important for us to go even further. I'm sure our challengers will also want to improve, so we'll improve as much as we can."

Asked why he took 100 minutes to make his first substitution, Solskjaer said: "We felt the players out there, Mason, Marcus, Bruno, Edi, match-winners, can create anything. Scott, who I thought was the best player on the pitch, and Paul, so it's difficult to make that change, especially when Fred has been injured for a week. We just couldn't create enough chances to win the game.

"We didn't do enough in the 120 minutes to score more goals. That's the disappointing bit.

"You've got players of high quality there, and we started with loads of goal scorers, match-winners, and hoped it would give us the upper hand.

"That disappointment is the worst feeling, these are the moments you remember most in your career, as a player and as a manager.

"You can go on your holiday and do nothing about it, or go home and do something about it, and come back even better, hungrier, stronger, and be better from the first minute.

Marcus Rashford played all 120 minutes of the match in Gdansk but had one of his quieter games.

When asked what the feeling was like in the dressing room having watched Villarreal lift the trophy, he told BT Sport: "Disappointing, in one word.

Player ratings: Marcus Rashford, Victor Lindelof struggle, Bruno Fernandes stifled
"The feeling inside is difficult to explain. We came here to win, we've been working hard all season, and this was the opportunity to win a trophy. It didn't happen for whatever reasons.

"Maybe not now, we have to get rid of the disappointment, but after that we have to look at the game and where we can improve, what went wrong.

"The team will not give up. There is no chance. The manager will not give up. He won't allow us to give up. We will come next season with a bigger desire.

"The club, Manchester United, people say a lot about Manchester United, that they're going downhill, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah... but for me, the club, the desire, the hunger, the talent, the ability, the squad, we have everything to compete at the highest level.

"We just have to show it to the world, show it to ourselves. Show why we belong in the top places, why we belong in finals, and why we need to be winning finals.

"In the league we finished second, it doesn't count for nothing. For us, second is nothing. I don't want to hear: 'Oh, they were so close' It doesn't mean anything. There is one winner and one loser.

"To win big trophies you have to show sacrifice. I could walk you into the dressing room and show five, six players, and me as well, we have had injuries since the beginning of September, and we all stay together as a unit to fight and be successful for the club. We have to go away now and clear our heads. When we come back we start fresh.

"The players believe in the process, and this isn't the end of the process. Part of the process is to have ups and downs. And we've had plenty every season.

"I promise you, I promise the fans, we don't give up. There's no chance. We come next season with more desire and more hunger.

"Sacrifice means a lot, I know in every club they don't have this sacrifice. In the top clubs, they have. This is why the top clubs win the trophies.

"We are close, I promise we are close. But close is not good enough, we have to be there."

What's next? Euros, transfer window, 2021/22 key dates

Euro 2020 kicks off on Friday June 11 - just 19 days after the conclusion of the 2020/21 Premier League season - and runs until Sunday July 11.

The 2021/22 Premier League campaign will start on the weekend of Saturday August 14 - 34 days after that Euro 2020 final at Wembley.

Clubs will be able to start planning for the new term when the top-flight fixtures are released at 9am on Wednesday, June 16 but transfer business can start in earnest before then, with the summer transfer window opening on Wednesday June 9.

SKY
 
He is a rubbish manager. Yesterday, he lost us the game. Unai Emery (a very underrated manager) tactically schooled Ole. The guy didn’t make a single change in the first 100 minutes. Let that sink in. He didn’t make a single change in normal time. That’s the basics of football management. How did this guy pass his UEFA coaching badges?
 
IAJ said:
Ole Gunnar should have made some changes much earlier instead of waiting 100 minutes. United was the better side in the second half also, but in the extra time they didn't run as much as Villareal who already had changed half of their side by then and had fresh legs.

Sunny had already fielded his best side and looked scared to take off any of his 'star-players'. James should have entered just after the got the equalizer in 2nd half and he could have made life tough for the defenders with his pace.

Both the manager and the players were poor yesterday. Only Cavani looked like he wanted to win.
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He had his best players out on the field, had he took one off for James, the same people blaming Ole for not making a change would be livid for putting on James in a final.

The fact was that the bench he had was rubbish, the players he had should have killed the game in 90 mins, when they didnt he didnt trust anyone on the bench.
 
Manunited18 said:
As a united fan I feel we have regressed under Olli, morinio finished second in the league but won the Europa and league cup , it's time to move Olli on, no way he can challenge pep klopp Tuchel for the major trophies and preferably we should approach zidanne or conte
Click to expand...

Nice to see a Man United fan who doesn’t repeat the mantra that we have progressed under Ole.

To measure the progression of a team under a manager, you need to compare how well the team is doing with how well they did under the previous manager, which was Mourinho.

Jose was the manager for 2.5 years, which is also how long Ole has been the manager. Under Jose, we won a couple of trophies, reached another final. Granted that they weren’t the biggest trophies, but they were still trophies at the end of the day. Under Ole, we are yet to win anything.

As far as league is concerned, under Jose, we finished 2nd with 81 points. Under Ole, we finished 2nd with 74 points. So clearly no progression there either.

Also under Jose, we got out of our champions league group both times. Under Ole, we finished 3rd and dropped down to the Europa League. So no progression in Europa either.

Where is this progression? The style of play is just as bad, if not worse. We can play well against teams that we can hit on the counter, but against low blocks, we are worse than we were under Jose. The Europa League final performance is worse than any performance under Jose.

If anything, we have regressed under Ole, like you said. And I would argue that Ole has a better team than Jose did.

The only two things that is a sign of progression under Ole is that he is a yes man to the Glazers, which Jose wasn’t. Also, Ole has stupid name for players like Rashy, whereas Jose wasn’t close to the players like that.

I was a big critic of Jose towards the end of his time and wanted him gone, but if I knew we were going to be stuck with this Ole guy, I rather we had kept Jose and backed him heavily.
 
Utd fans knew Ole was to learn on the job, not sure why they are expecting to win the league or Champions league.

The days of Utd challegning yearly for the title are long gone. We know have City, LFC and Chelsea with incredible players & top quality managers. When Fergie was around it was mainly Arsenal but times have changed.

However IF Utd can get Kane + a playermaker such as Grealish + another central defender, they could transform into challengers if Ole can play a more attacking/flair type of football.

Utd fans need to stop blaming Ole and the Glaziers. Utd are in the top 3 of net spenders worldwide, there is no excuse but reality the team is simply not good enough.
 
Striker is not a priority. It is imperative that we get a competent CDM and a CB in this summer. If that doesn't happen, then we will face a real fight for top 4. Sancho for the RW would be good, however with the budget we have, CDM and CB takes priority.
 
PetroDollars said:
When games go to penalties it goes either way, we should have won the match in 90 minutes, VR made it difficult and Rashford had a terrible day missing a sitter.

Having said that its funny how the same pundits come out season after season claiming ole cant even get top 4 and will be sacked tmrw, yet here he is still proving those people wrong, he might have not won a trophy but he has still delivered our best football post fergie with weaker squads and no depth then those CL winning managers who splashed an awfull lot of cash on silly purchases.

Saying emery won the match because hes an tactical master shows how much you know about football, all he did was park the bus for 90 minutes and had luck, but funny how you idolise a manager who cant even qualify for the europa or beat VR over 2 legs which says it all.
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I'm not here to cheerlead Arteta, just haps to see you at the receiving end of some humble pie.

You have made some outlandish claims about Ole and it's just hilarious watching how this has backfired.

You were up in your high horse after we got knocked out by Villarreal. Arteta is still learning however imagine losing against 7th placed team in Spain when you have a £1bn team.

I would advise for you to humble yourself and admit Ole hasn't met your expectations.
 
topspin said:
I'm not here to cheerlead Arteta, just haps to see you at the receiving end of some humble pie.

You have made some outlandish claims about Ole and it's just hilarious watching how this has backfired.

You were up in your high horse after we got knocked out by Villarreal. Arteta is still learning however imagine losing against 7th placed team in Spain when you have a £1bn team.

I would advise for you to humble yourself and admit Ole hasn't met your expectations.
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Anyone who supports Aretata is cheerleading him, because hes that bad.

secondly, one defeat doesnt change much for Ole, yes we should have won that but he has far beaten his expectations by coming in 3rd, then 2nd, in his 2 seasons, his critics on this forum didnt expect us to ever come 4th, they have been slapped so brutally there looking for new excuses like clowns.

How funny is it that people who never though he could even get top 4 are now trying to compare his season coming second to joses when he came second, to justify hes not good enough. the desperation is beyond belief for some people.

Lastly not sure what claims you talk off, that i made. My prediction is in the prediction thread for the season back in aug, which was a second place finish, i expect him to win the title but he is also doing a rebuilding job which was probably one of the biggest in football.
 
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has signed a new contract with the club until 2024, with the option of a further year.
 
Juventus sacked Pirlo even though he finished in the top 4 and won a trophy. Bayern a couple of seasons ago sacked their manager when they were only 4-5 points off the top of the table. Yet Manchester United are rewarding a guy with a new contract who plays horrible football and hasn’t won a single trophy.
 
The_KING said:
Juventus sacked Pirlo even though he finished in the top 4 and won a trophy. Bayern a couple of seasons ago sacked their manager when they were only 4-5 points off the top of the table. Yet Manchester United are rewarding a guy with a new contract who plays horrible football and hasn’t won a single trophy.
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Do you still think Brandon Williams is better than Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire rubbish. LOL

Ole deserves a new contract, he might not won a trophy but hes done more than enough in the EPL.
 
Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Manchester United will be seen as a fairy-tale conclusion to a magnificent career, played out at 'The Theatre Of Dreams' he graced for so long.

The 36-year-old superstar has always held a special place in the hearts of everyone at Old Trafford after winning the Champions League, three Premier Leagues, the FA Cup and two League Cups in a glittering six-year stay under his mentor Sir Alex Ferguson before an £80m move to Real Madrid in 2009.

The current Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will rightly celebrate Ronaldo's landmark return - but it is also a double-edged sword for the Norwegian, who is still in search of his first trophy and cannot afford to wait much longer for success given more vast transfer outlay this summer.

Ronaldo will be greeted as the returning hero, the homecoming Old Trafford has always longed for but never seriously thought would materialise, and it will be a special occasion when he walks out once more as a Manchester United player.

It was a moment of high emotion when he came back with Real Madrid in a Champions League last-16 second-leg tie in March 2013, Ronaldo tapping his heart in appreciation as he received a thunderous, prolonged standing ovation when he was introduced before kick-off.

He responded in the only way he knew, scoring the winner but celebrating in subdued fashion as Ferguson's last attempt to add another Champions League to his CV was snuffed out. Sentiment is not in his DNA. Success is.

Now he is at Old Trafford again, this time in the red of Manchester United once more, Solskjaer will hope he brings that priceless commodity back with him.

Ferguson's father-son relationship with Ronaldo played a key role in diverting him away from the unthinkable outcome of signing for Manchester City, a move that would have threatened even his iconic status among United fans, in favour of this sensational comeback after 12 years away at Real and then Juventus.

It is a remarkable strike in the markets by United, one that will be paraded as a coup over arch-rivals and Premier League champions City.

The Glazers, owners still despised by large sections of United's support, will say it is another signal that they are steadfast in their financial backing for Solskjaer, no matter what their critics think of them.

United may be in desperate need of another quality midfield player but how could they seriously ignore the chance to re-sign someone who is a gold-plated United legend, the man won the first of his five Ballons d'Or after inspiring United's Champions League win in 2008?

Ronaldo brings stardust, a touch of sporting romance and enduring quality to Old Trafford. He is still in remarkable shape at 36, still so potent even in an underachieving Juve side, scoring 35 goals in all competitions last season, outstripping Romelu Lukaku, who scored 30 before his £97.5m move from Inter Milan to Chelsea.

He will add stature to United's team, a touchstone for young talent such as Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and the other new player on the block £73m Jadon Sancho.

And in psychological terms, all of United's rivals will know they have to deal with a threat level on a significantly higher scale after the arrival of one of the game's all-time greats, someone who will be desperate to revisit old glories.

Ronaldo's mere presence - and his continued output gives the lie to suggestions this signing is simply decoration - also enhances the Premier League.

For Solskjaer, though, for all that it gives him a massive lift, the signing of Ronaldo ratchets up the pressure to bring success, his reign since being appointed permanently in March 2019 a tale of losing the biggest matches and letting the trophies go elsewhere, as when last season's Europa League final was lost to Villarreal with United red-hot favourites.

United's hierarchy, for all the gripes about the Glazers and the mass protests that followed the ill-fated flirtation with the European Super League, have come up the with goods again for Solskjaer this summer - at least in terms of transfer funds - and eventually there must be a return.

United spent £73m on Sancho, £34m that could rise to £42m with add-ons for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane and have now financed Ronaldo's not inconsiderable personal terms to complete this spectacular deal.

In other words, there can be no excuses for Solskjaer this time.

If Manchester United do not deliver a serious, prolonged title challenge and win a trophy then searching questions will be asked, given the squad Solskjaer has been able to assemble.

Solskjaer has been given the tools to do the job with the unexpected return of the great Ronaldo, a back-to-the-future flourish that will give United a thrilling extra dimension.

With Harry Maguire and Varane at the heart of defence, Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes pulling the strings as both creators and goalscorers in the engine room and Ronaldo added to the newcomer Sancho, along with another ageless and still hugely effective striker in Edinson Cavani, Solskjaer's United simply cannot be seen to fall off the pace behind champions Manchester City, Liverpool and Champions League holders Chelsea.

By pushing the boat out one more time, and in such sensational style, Solskjaer has been given every opportunity to prove the doubters wrong and show that he really is up to the job of bringing success back to Manchester United.

No-one would bet against Cristiano Ronaldo delivering his part of the bargain. And, in doing so, Solskjaer will hope he finally helps him deliver his.

BBC
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer accepts Manchester United's Champions League group stage game against Villarreal on Wednesday is "very important".

Victory though, is by no means certain.

Solskjaer's side opened this season's competition with a shock 2-1 defeat by Swiss side Young Boys two weeks ago. The result was a disappointment - and for the manager, there is a worrying statistic to go with it.

Solskjaer has now been in charge for seven of United's 54 Champions League defeats - or 13% of them. That's despite the fact that he has only managed the club through 11 games in the competition.

Micah Richards column: 'It's time for Solskjaer to prove himself'
As he prepares for the Old Trafford visit of Villarreal - who beat United in last May's Europa League final - Solskjaer is under pressure to engineer a drastic improvement.

The manager does not just need a win on Wednesday to reset his side's European campaign. After defeats by West Ham and Aston Villa over the past week, he also has to stop the negative chatter that accompanies any sequence of disappointing results becoming something far more serious.

"You need 10 or 12 points to go through," said Solskjaer. "If you have one or zero points from two games, you need four wins.

"It is a very important game. The focus is on three points and looking what we can do better from the Europa final."

Man Utd's Champions League record under Solskjaer
Won Lost Scored Conceded
4 7 17 19
It has not all been bad in the Champions League.

Solskjaer oversaw one of United's great European nights - the 3-1 away win over Paris St-Germain in the last 16 in March 2019, which overturned a 2-0 deficit from the home leg and took his side into the quarter-finals.

Last season, the 5-0 triumph over RB Leipzig was the club's biggest Champions League win since 2013 and their biggest at Old Trafford since the 7-1 thrashing of Roma in 2007.

But Manchester United have never started a European campaign by losing their first two games. The pressure is on to avoid an unwanted piece of history.

"The pressure is a privilege," said Solskjaer. "To work in this environment, you have to embrace that pressure.

"We're in a results business. We're here to win. I have been backed and clearly we've improved and expectations have improved, with the signings and better performances.

"The progress and the process has worked well. But I'm here to win - don't think twice about that."

There have been similar threads running through United's seven Champions League defeats, and their losses this season.

High-profile errors have proved costly in defeats by PSG, Barcelona, Leipzig, Young Boys and, most famously, Basaksehir - when Demba Ba was left completely unmarked as United attacked at a corner and was allowed to run free to the other end and score. All those mistakes were avoidable.

Then there have been issues with the formation, with Solskjaer tending to tinker with his preferred 4-2-3-1 for European ties. Against Barcelona at Old Trafford in the 2019 quarter-final, it was an odd 5-1-2-2, with Luke Shaw as a third central defender, and a 4-3-3 for the return leg.

It is the perceived lack of a coherent strategy that has left some, including the Norwegian's former United team-mate Gary Neville, to question what United's style of play actually is.

"Of course you are working on your style of play, on patterns, on your in-possession game and out-of-possession game," said Solskjaer.

"Against Aston Villa, we attacked maybe too fast. I don't think I've seen any games with less efficient playing time. Forty-five minutes the referee gave us. Normally you're up to 55-60."

Then there is the repeated criticism of Brazilian midfielder Fred - especially when he is paired in midfield with Scott McTominay. Many critics argue the duo combined are too defensive and lack creativity.

"We've had many good results with those two, with the energy they give us, the way they break up play," said Solskjaer. "I can trust them to give everything, always."

Solskjaer's position is protected to some extent by the three-year contract he was awarded on 24 July, when executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said the club were "more confident than ever" it was a move in the right direction under their manager.

But results can change perceptions quickly - and at a club the size of United, losing three games in a row will inevitably lead to talk of a crisis.

Solskjaer is acutely aware of the demands he must meet.

"At this club, we have an obligation to win and we have an obligation to win in a certain style," he said.

"Sometimes that's risky and you lose one or two. Lately we've lost one or two, we changed the team for the Carabao Cup and the consequence is you're out of the cup.

"But we'll get there. Hopefully we'll get there around April or May, challenging for the trophies we'd like to see back at Old Trafford."



https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58721152
 
Clock is ticking to win a trophy.

If he wins nothing this season, it'll be interesting to see what happens regarding his future.
 
Some big names to keep happy at the club - Pogba, Ronaldo, Cavani, Varane, Fernandes etc.

How does he slot everyone into the team.

Today lots of changes including Ronaldo on the bench.
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has no regrets over not starting Cristiano Ronaldo in Man Utd's draw with Everton

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he has no regrets over not starting Cristiano Ronaldo in Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Everton, which left his side with just two wins in six games.

Solskjaer opted for Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial at Old Trafford - it was the first time Ronaldo had been named on the bench in a Premier League game for United since May 2007 - claiming the team needed a refresh after their "physically and emotionally" tiring 2-1 win over Villarreal on Wednesday.

The decision looked vindicated when Martial gave United the lead just before half-time, and despite bringing Ronaldo on before the hour mark, Everton scored through Andros Townsend on the breakaway to send United into the international fortnight in unconvincing form.

Ronaldo looked visibly frustrated at full-time walking straight down the tunnel while muttering to himself.

Asked after the game if he regretted leaving Ronaldo out, Solskjaer said: "No. You make decisions throughout a long, long season; you have to manage the players' workload and the decision for me was the correct one.

"Anthony Martial did well, scored a good goal. Edinson [Cavani] needed minutes and could have had a goal. We have to make those decisions at the time."

After Bruno Fernandes' weak corner was cleared, United midfielder Fred had two opportunities to win the ball from Demarai Gray on the touchline, before Everton broke away and scored. Solskjaer says the trouble should have been dealt with early.

"We got hit on one break that cost us and we lacked that cutting edge to get the important second goal. We made a couple of decisions that cost us. We had players behind the ball when the ball was delivered and we should have dealt with it. We need to work on it because we are facing more and more opponents who allow us to have possession."

It doesn't get much easier for United after the international break, with Leicester (A), Liverpool (H), Tottenham (A) and Manchester City (H) to come in the Premier League with vital Champions League group games against Atalanta wedged in.

"It's a big month. We have to be focused and make sure we use the international break well; come back with energy and clear focus. The mindset is good, the players are hungry to improve. We dominated the game but just couldn't get the second goal you need in games like this.

"I'm confident we will get the best out of this squad. A lot has happened this month [player arrivals]. We have loads to work on but I do believe in these players and this coaching staff. I believe we have something going but proof is in the pudding."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...istiano-ronaldo-in-man-utds-draw-with-everton
 
Solskjaer defended his decision to leave Ronaldo on the bench, insisting a need to manage workloads.

Asked if he had any regrets about his team selection, he said: "No. You make decisions throughout a long, long season; you have to manage the players' workload and the decision for me was the correct one. Anthony Martial did well, scored a good goal. Edinson needed minutes and could have had a goal. We have to make those decisions at the time."
 
Out of his depth in this job.

Man Utd won't go far with Ole in charge.

Start looking at alternatives as the manger.
 
We've got a similar situation to what Chelsea had last year with Lampard and rightfully Chelsea parted company with Lampard. OLI has to go, hes out of his depth, tactically, and we still lack clarity in our play.
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked a manager running only on the fumes of dwindling goodwill as he made his way to Manchester United's supporters after a shambolic 4-2 defeat at Leicester City.

As the Norwegian moved towards a discontented corner of the stadium to clap the travelling fans, he was faced with some sympathetic applause, anger and a fair few empty blue seats.

If the impression given by Leicester's two late goals is one of a close match, ignore it.

Leicester deserved their win and deserved to win by more. Manchester United deserved to lose and deserved to lose by more.

Solskjaer can be chippy under criticism but, rather like Manchester United here at Leicester, he has little in the way of any defence after they were over-run and overpowered.

United's manager looked lost at times in his technical area as Leicester, back to their best, swarmed all over a team assembled at vast expense but one lacking organisation and leadership, panicking and creaking under pressure all afternoon.

As manager, Solskjaer will take the majority of blame - but some big personalities are in the dock after this game as well. The bottom line, though, is that there is one question more people will ask with increasing validity if United's poor form continues.

Is Solskjaer is the right man to take Manchester United forward?

It is cruel but it cannot be dodged. And the evidence so far is not favourable.

First, though, there must be an exacting spotlight shone on United's players. This is not all down to Solskjaer.

Harry Maguire, to put it very politely, was ring rusty on his return from a calf strain. He ran the ball out of play with his first touch. He was robbed by Kelechi Iheanacho in the build-up to Youri Tielemans' strike to make it 1-1 and was part of a defence lacking any sort of composure. He looked well short of match fitness.

Bruno Fernandes spent much of the game complaining to referee Craig Pawson. Nemanja Matic was too slow to cope with Leicester's midfield while Paul Pogba had one of those frustrating, ineffective matches marked only by persistent fouling that ended with a yellow card.

And the biggest personality of all, Cristiano Ronaldo, was not exempt from this morass of mediocrity. He was on the margins throughout, only getting involved in flashes and unable to turn the tide in the manner of old when it went against United.

It was a grim 90 minutes for United, with Mason Greenwood - who scored a magnificent goal - one of the few who can escape criticism.
 
Manunited18 said:
We've got a similar situation to what Chelsea had last year with Lampard and rightfully Chelsea parted company with Lampard. OLI has to go, hes out of his depth, tactically, and we still lack clarity in our play.
Click to expand...

Wont happen until at least the Liverpool match.

If Ole wins or draw, he will stay , if he loses, loses badly, he will be sacked.

Imo Ronaldo was a mistake. Great player but cant press or help defend, this is old school. It doesn't work in the PL anymore.
 
KingKhanWC said:
Wont happen until at least the Liverpool match.

If Ole wins or draw, he will stay , if he loses, loses badly, he will be sacked.

Imo Ronaldo was a mistake. Great player but cant press or help defend, this is old school. It doesn't work in the PL anymore.
Click to expand...

Agree, oli will not be sacked any time soon. The board want stability and they see Oli as a perfect yes man. As long as Oli finishes in the top 4 the board are contempt.
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Manchester United boss rejects Jamie Carragher criticism

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he is not affected by suggestions Manchester United need to change their manager in order to win the biggest trophies.

Solskjaer, 48, was responding to former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher's comments on Sky Sports that United need a new manager to challenge for titles.

"It doesn't affect me," Solskjaer said.

"I believe in myself, as long as the club believes in me. I am pretty sure Jamie Carragher's opinion is not going to change that."

Solskjaer has come under increasing pressure with his team lying fifth in the Premier League table after a 4-2 defeat at Leicester City on Saturday.

The Norwegian added: "I have my values and way of managing. You see some of the comments but we have Liverpool on Sunday and Jamie is looking at these little things."

The loss to Brendan Rodgers' Foxes at the weekend means United are on a run of two wins, one draw and four defeats in their last seven games in all competitions.

"Every team will go through a period and we are in one now of poor form," said Solskjaer. "We know that and we know we need to improve.

"As I have said so many times, the coaching staff we have are amazing, their attention to detail and the sessions they put on, I couldn't ask for more."

United return to Champions League action on Wednesday with a home game against group leaders Atalanta at 20:00 BST.

Solskjaer's side sit third in Group F after they lost their opening game to Young Boys but came from behind to beat Villarreal with a late winner.

"Of course it is not a gimmicky, jovial and happy camp," he said. "We are focussed and determined. You look at yourself and ask what you can do to help the team.

"I have seen a reaction. Conceding four goals [against Leicester] is a big eye-opener and we need to improve on different levels and on loads of detail.

"Winning at home against Atalanta would be massive and a big boost."

The Manchester Evening News this week reported that Solskjaer was privately unhappy the club didn't sign a midfielder in the summer - instead bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford.

Ronaldo, who re-joined United for £12.8m from Juventus in August, has been criticised in recent games for being a peripheral figure and imbalancing the team.

However, Solskjaer was quick to praise the 36-year-old's contribution.

He said: "Cristiano is a top player and we know what he can do. He is doing everything he can to help the team.

"There are 11 players with different roles and responsibilities. We put a team out we think will win. We didn't beat Leicester so there is always criticism when you don't win."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58971451
 
3-2 win over Atalanta and he hangs onto his job for now.

Only a matter of time I feel before he's gone.
 
Properly got out of jail there. Half time was the last chance saloon for Ole, and to be fair to him he found a way to get the win. But yes it’s just a matter of time now. He’s one more significant loss away from the sack.
 
Thank you Klopp. Please finish the job in the second half and get this fraud out of my club. He is destroying my football club.
 
OldWarHorse said:
The shameless idiot wont go. Wasting Ronaldo's final years now, should have gone to City for his career
Click to expand...

Other than wasting the final years of Ronaldo, Cavani, he is the wasting the prime years of Pogba, Bruno, Rashford, Martial, Varane, Van De Beek and he is wasting the developmental years of Sancho, Greenwood. If you are a united fan and still back ole, you are an idiot.
 
Looks like a guy out of his depth in this role.

United will not win anything under him.
 
I thought he might resign after today’s result, but then there he was, straight out for the post match interview pretty quickly in bullish mood to blow my theory out of the water. Lol

Not sure if he will get sacked for this or not. Difficult to tell. He should be though.
 
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