Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s future as Manchester United manager is said to be under serious consideration, while a number of players are believed to be ‘questioning’ his ability to take the club forward.
The Norwegian was already under an increasing amount of pressure following a three-match winless run in the Premier League, while they had to come from two goals down to an injury-hit Atalanta to earn a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory in the Champions League.
Following that performance, United legend Paul Scholes expressed his concerns for his former club going into their game against Liverpool, and those fears would be realised as Manchester United put in an abject display be smashed 5-0 by their fiercest rivals.
Prior to that game, the club were briefing that they were still fully behind their manager, who has undoubtedly steadied the ship following the reigns of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, though it seems as though the result on Sunday has changed that stance of support.
According to the Guardian, the club are now ‘seriously considering’ the former striker’s position in charge at the club after picking up one point from the last 12 available.
They say that managing director Richard Arnold – who is expected to take over from the departing Ed Woodward – has ‘cancelled all appointments’ on Monday in order to ‘hold talks’ with co-owner Joel Glazer; with the five hour time difference to his Florida residence meaning that any decision will come later in the day.
The report also says that while the 48-year-old is ‘well-liked’ by members of his squad, the hammering by Liverpool ‘crystalised’ a growing belief that he is ‘tactically underwhelming’ and unable to challenge the best in the division.
The Manchester Evening News reported earlier today that former Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte is ‘open’ to taking the position should it become available, with the Guardian report backing up this claim.
The Italian has won the title at all three of those clubs, and while he is ‘reluctant’ to take a role mid-season, he would ‘make an exception’ for a club such as Manchester United.
Whether United hold their nerve and stick with Solskjaer for now is yet to be seen, though it seems that their previously unwavering support for the Norwegian is starting to wobble.
United take on Tottenham next week before games against Atalanta and Man City.
