MY ACCOUNT
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can have no complaints about his sacking at Manchester United, which became “inevitable”, according to club greats Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand.
Solskjaer was dismissed on Sunday after a stunning 4-1 defeat to Watford in United’s first Premier League match since the international break.
Big home losses to Liverpool and Manchester City had already increased the pressure on the 48-year-old.
Although only those two title-winning teams earned more points (245 for Liverpool, 244 for City) than United (197) during Solskjaer’s tenure, the Red Devils have only once endured a worse start to a Premier League season.
That was also under Solskjaer, as United earned just 16 points from 12 games in 2019-20, compared to 17 points this term. Their 21 goals conceded at this stage represents their worst mark to date.
Seventh in the table, Neville believes United’s announcement Michael Carrick will take temporary charge before the club name an interim manager until the end of the season shows they “don’t have a plan”.
“This is third time in eight years a manager has been given long-term extension and lost their job a few months later,” he told Sky Sports, adding: “You have to ask questions.”
But Neville accepts Solskjaer has reached “the end” following a dismal run of form.
“Every decision Ole has made in three years at this club were for best interests of United – he loves the club,” Neville said.
“I have no issue with his commitment, but he couldn’t get his side to play football in the past couple of months.
“There is a lack of leaders in the dressing room, irrespective of the manager. You hope they can find a second wind, but it didn’t happen. Watford mauled them, messed them around, outfought them – when that happens, it spells the end.
“Managers deserve two or three years in the job. Ole can’t complain – he’s been backed in the transfer window. [David] Moyes had eight months and was kicked out.
“Ole can’t complain about time or money afforded. He won’t complain, but he’ll be massively disappointed. He expected a lot more.
“Why has a club that has been progressing now look as though they can’t pass to each other? The back five yesterday, and midfield two, have been together for a number of years. The confidence is just shot.
“Ole will reflect with sadness, but he should be proud with his previous work. He rebuilt the soul after the end of the Mourinho era.
“The players need to sort themselves out. They’ll get battered in front of the whole country against Chelsea if they don’t sort it out.”
Neville added that “performances have been terrible, results have been shocking”, describing the Watford display as “wimpish”, and his assessment tallies with that of former United team-mate Ferdinand.
“This has been inevitable,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.
He added: “What we saw against Watford was terrible. I’m not surprised [by the news]. I’m disappointed, obviously, in the way the team’s performed.
“It’s unfortunate for someone like Ole, but it’s the way football goes.”
