Ole may be behind the wheel, but the vehicle is running dangerously low in the mist of nostalgia & Paul Pogba responds to allegations of conflict with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is and will always be a Manchester United legend. His name was written in Old Trafford folklore the moment he stuck his boot on the end of Teddy Sheringham’s flick-on against Bayern Munich in 1999. A truly excellent player and one all fans will be thankful turned out in red, however… 

A manager – he is not.

Having taken over from Jose Mourinho three years ago, Solskjaer, who was only ever supposed to be a temporary plug, rode an unbeaten run and ended up being appointed on a permanent basis.

Fast forward a few seasons, countless semi-final defeats, Europa League final heartbreak, a 5-0 thumping against rivals Liverpool and things are as bad as they’ve ever been.

But listen – I get it, okay… If Solskjaer lifted a major trophy, most notably the Premier League or Champions League – it would be a romantic fairytale come true.

Manchester United are built upon solid foundations – foundations that incorporate developing youth, as well as having a solid core of backroom staff, so I understand why there is always such a hesitancy to engage in a ‘hire, fire’ culture.

But let’s be honest now – Solskjaer has had his moments – there have been plenty of comeback wins and there’s certainly been an improvement when it comes to shipping out the deadwood.

However – a manager, especially when at the helm of one of Europe’s biggest clubs, is only ever judged based on his win record and his ability to lift trophies – although the Norweigan has yet to win a major trophy, up until recently, he had a decent win record to fall back on – but even that is waning now.

Having just been thumped 5-0 against fierce enemies Liverpool, which, if we’re being brutally honest, wasn’t really a shock, was it?

The Red Devils and have been riding their luck in games for quite some time – had it not have been for megastar Cristiano Ronaldo, Solskjaer wouldn’t even be able to boast recent and narrow wins against Villarreal and Atalanta – both of which are just two examples of when the side left it late to turn up to the party.

Liverpool on Sunday were not Atalanta and they were not Villarreal though – they were the better side in each and every area of the pitch. They went man-for-man and dominated.

Despite being reluctant to give a knee-jerk reaction to what is well up with one of the club’s darkest days – and although in light of the devastating defeat, the heat on Solskjaer will undoubtedly be turned up a notch, there is also a major factor and bigger picture which many are not seeing.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has responded to the claim that his relationship with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reached its climax. The midfielder was named on the bench for the last deireadh-seachdain match against Liverpool, but was presented for the start of the second half.

Pogba's afternoon lasted only 15 mionaid, as he was correctly given the marching orders for a healthy tackle on Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita.