Manchester United under Solskjaer

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'If they were playing a better side they would have been OUT OF SIGHT': Paul Scholes refuses to get excited by Manchester United's comeback win over Atalanta - and insists first half is a 'MAJOR worry' ahead of Liverpool clash

* Manchester United conceded two goals in the first half against Atalanta
* Fred and Scott McTominay played as the two midfielders in a 4-2-4 formation
* Paul Scholes said system leaves United open to being 'absolutely destroyed'
* Scholes wasn't impressed with the display as United battled back to win 3-2

Paul Scholes has savaged Manchester United's display in their 3-2 Champions League win against Atalanta - insisting they were fortunate to escape with a win.

The Red Devils battled from 2-0 down at half-time to scrape through thanks to second-half goals from Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The win puts United top of Group F, but Scholes wasn't impressed and has warned his former side to not get carried away ahead of Sunday's visit of bitter rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.

'I get the United excitement, that first half put me off the second half, if they were playing a better side they would have been out of sight,' he said post-match as a pundit for BT Sport.

'They [Atalanta] had five players missing. I get the excitement, but the display was something I did not enjoy, it was worrying, it lacked unity and to me, can they go and play against against better teams like that? No.

'It was a great night but that first half was a major worry.

'For a neutral it was a great game, full of excitement and goals but I am being realistic about what is to come. I expect more from them, they cannot keep conceding chances like that. They were playing a decent team but not world class, you cannot get too carried away.'

Scholes, who won 11 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues at United, went on to elaborate further his concern.

'You celebrate every win, the first half really worried me, people say I am miserable, but I looked at that game thinking about Liverpool at the weekend and playing Manchester City [on November 6]. If you play two central midfielders against them, it'll be three or four-nil and you aren't coming back.

'It was great seeing all the shooting and crosses in second half, but that first half worried me. They showed great spirit but they conceded so many chances, quality players make sure you don't win that game. Will they play that well against Liverpool, imagine Jurgen Klopp at home rubbing his hands together watching that first half.

'Atalanta had too much possession, I don't think the performance can be good when you are two down at home, I am miserable. I kept going back to that first half, which was disastrous.'

Speaking at half-time, Scholes took aim at the two-man midfield in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's formation, claiming it leaves Manchester United susceptible to being 'absolutely destroyed' following their woeful first half against Atalanta.

United found themselves two goals down at half-time of their crunch Champions League Group F fixture at Old Trafford, with Fred and Scott McTominay the only players named in the midfield.


Paul Scholes was critical of Manchester United's performance despite beating Atalanta 3-2. Despite the win, Scholes says they would get punished against Liverpool - who they face nextPaul Scholes has taken aim at the two-man midfield in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's formation. Fred (right) and Scott McTominay (left) were the only players named in the United midfield

Mario Pasalic opened the scoring for the Serie A giants with a close-range finish before Merih Demiral took advantage of some slack set-piece defending to head home a corner.

But speaking to BT Sport at half-time, former United midfielder Scholes slammed the set-up deployed by the Norwegian as 'bad', and left them incredibly likely for the two players in the centre to be overrun.

'It is the formation that has been bad,' Scholes said.

'Ole said before the game it was 4-2-4. I don't care who those two players in the midfield, when you are playing against a good European team, you are going to get absolutely destroyed.

'Neither wide player is running back, Bruno Fernandes is making the odd effort to get back in and help them, but they will get destroyed.

'If Manchester United were playing a really good team, we could be looking at four or five. '

Scholes' former United and England team-mate Rio Ferdinand also added his frustration, claiming the defenders had not performed well.

'I'm very frustrated and disappointed, but the players have to come out and do something,' Ferdinand said.

'Ole's set them out 4-4-2 for the forwards to go and win it, but the defenders haven't been good enough.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10113345/Paul-Scholes-critical-Manchester-United-boss-Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaers-half-tactics.html

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Manchester United have to 'grab on to the emotion' of dramatic comeback victory against Atalanta, insists Rio Ferdinand... because it will help 'lift the spirit' of the dressing room ahead of crucial Liverpool clash

* Manchester United were 2-0 down at half time against Atalanta at Old Trafford
* But they produced a stunning second-half comeback to beat the Serie A side
* Rio Ferdinand claims they must focus on the latter ahead of the visit of Liverpool
* The former United centre-back said they showed they are ready for the 'hustle'

Manchester United must focus on their second-half comeback against Atalanta rather than worry about their woeful opening 45 minutes ahead of this weekend's clash against Liverpool, insists Rio Ferdinand.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men were rocked in the first half of their Group F fixture when Mario Pasalic and Merih Demiral took advantage of sloppy United defending to help the Serie A side take a two-goal lead into the break.

But the hosts produced a stunning second-half comeback, with Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire restoring parity before Cristiano Ronaldo scored yet another winner at Old Trafford, just as he had done in their previous European outing against Villarreal.

Solskjaer bluntly responded 'don't disrespect the players' after he was asked post-match if the performance showed that his squad are playing for him.


Manchester United must focus on their second-half comeback against Atalanta ahead of their game against Liverpool, insists Rio Ferdinand. United went two goals down at home in a woeful first-half display against the Italian outfit

But speaking to BT Sport after the game, former United centre-back Ferdinand insisted the players demonstrated they are ready for the 'hustle and fight' and must build on the emotion of the evening against Jurgen Klopp's Reds on Sunday.

'You have to look beyond the first half,' Ferdinand said. 'You would address it in the changing room but you would focus more on that second half going forward ahead of that game against Liverpool at the weekend.

'No one could sit here and tell the public the problems are cured, and that everything is fine and rosy now, because it is not. But you have to grab on to a result like that. The emotion that you have, you have to carry that forward to lift the spirit of the changing room.

'Ole got prickly about the question about whether the players are working for him, but that was something that had been levelled at him from different sections.

'Today he got answer that he wanted, not that he might have been asking that question himself from the sounds of his answer, but you have to say they gave him a response that he would have been praying for before this game.

'I think they were more connected in the second half and weren't as easy to play through but if anyone had any doubt will these players run, hustle and fight for Ole - yes they will.

'The nuts and bolts is they can put a shift in. People were questioning were they willing to run through brick walls for Ole but they showed that. There was an intensity tonight. There is no better game to roll into the weekend.'


But they produced a brilliant second-half comeback with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the winner. Ferdinand believes the side showed they are ready to fight for boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Then addressing his former United team-mate Paul Scholes - who in the BT Sport studio refused to get excited by the comeback - Ferdinand said: 'I am not getting carried away here, but you have got to enjoy that Scholesy.'

But then Scholes countered: 'I can imagine it being enjoyable for the fan. Coming back from 2-0 down is exactly what we wanted.

'We watched [Louis] van Gaal and [Jose] Mourinho teams, boring, sending you to sleep, so to go from that to this is great. But remember who you are playing against, you are playing Atalanta.

'Tonight doesn't make any difference [to Sunday]. That first half made a difference. But it will be interesting to see what he [Solskjaer] does on Sunday.


And he insists the focus ahead of Sunday should be on the second half, not the first 45 minutes. Ferdinand's former team-mate Paul Scholes refused to get carried away by the comeback

'Will he get carried away with the emotion of that big performance against a lower-ranked team, and say "right, we'll go for it and do exactly the same"?'

However, Ferdinand then responded, saying: 'You can only beat what is in front of you.

'The confidence they had coming into the game was so shot, they were almost on their knees.

'You know it is difficult under the circumstances of everyone pointing the finger, so to come out in those circumstances to go 2-0 down and then come back, the character and personality shown there, you have to grab on to the positive you can take to take you through to the weekend, because it is a huge game.

'If they perform like they did in the first half they will get dusted off that pitch, but second half there is something to take into that game, surely?'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10113963/Man-United-grab-emotion-dramatic-victory-against-Atalanta-insists-Ferdinand.html

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Man United are less cohesive, need a defensive midfielder and their backline is shaky, but there's progress and they're entertaining again... so are they heading in the right direction under Solskjaer?

* Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes summed up conflicting moods at Man United
* The former was upbeat after United came from two goals down to beat Atalanta
* But the latter was less enthused and fears for them against Liverpool on Sunday
* So did the win paper over the cracks or are United headed in the right direction?

Nothing sums up the conflicting moods at Manchester United right now better than Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand debating the merits of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's wildly erratic team following their dramatic Champions League comeback against Atalanta.

In the red corner, Ferdinand was upbeat after seeing United recover from two goals down to win 3-2 ahead of Sunday's showdown with Liverpool at Old Trafford.

'You have to grab on to the emotion of a result like that,' he said. 'I'm not getting carried away, but you have to enjoy that.'

In the, er, other red corner, Scholes was less enthused. 'People say I'm miserable, but I looked at that game thinking about Liverpool,' he told BT Sport.

'I kept going back to that first half, and it would be disastrous if we play like that against Liverpool.

'United will look at this game and think they are cured, but they're not.'

Did United's win merely paper over the cracks after a fourth defeat in seven games at Leicester last Saturday, or are they really heading in the right direction under Solskjaer?

Identity Crisis

So much has been said and written about the importance of United's DNA since Solskjaer returned to the club, yet it is ironic that nearly three years later his team still lack a discernible identity.

Even if the manager knew his best team - and that's debatable - he wouldn't know which United are going to turn up from one game to the next.

It appears as though Solskjaer is struggling to piece together the various components of his squad, and the new signings made this summer have only complicated the picture.

As a result, United look even less cohesive than last season. A team who aren't playing as a team.

They were meant to be transitioning from a counter-attacking side into one capable of dominating games, but right now it is hard to identify a particular style or shape. Too often, United have had to rely on individual brilliance to get them out of a hole and that will only take them so far.

'United are missing a bit of the overall tactics,' Jesper Blomqvist, who won the Champions League alongside Solskjaer in 1999, said on Thursday.

'It takes some time to settle all the players in the team and find the right way of playing. They have to find a pattern of play, a tactical way.'


United have struggled recently with injuries to Harry Maguire (left) and Raphael Varane

United Front

Despite criticism of Solskjaer, support for the manager within Old Trafford remains steadfast.

No manager is bullet-proof but it would take a calamitous run for United to change course now.

At a time when Steve Bruce's slow demise at Newcastle has been painful to watch, that kind of reassurance cannot be overstated.

There is a lot of goodwill towards the Norwegian and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward would be reluctant to rock the boat in his remaining months in office.

United face Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal in five of their next six league games, but Solskjaer has a knack of navigating his way through tough periods like this.

What the long-term future holds if he fails to deliver a trophy again this season remains to be seen.



Off Balance

United targeted a centre back and right winger in the summer, and there were no complaints at all when they signed Raphael Varane from Real Madrid and Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.

However, there is a strong argument that the need for a defensive midfielder was even greater and one wasn't forthcoming.

Those concerns have been confirmed in the early part of the season as Solskjaer has struggled to strike a balance between his attack and defence, which appear to have become disconnected. It's clear he can't trust Paul Pogba in a defensive midfield role, but using the Frenchman wide on the left means leaving out a winger.

There are no shortage of those at Old Trafford following Sancho's arrival, leaving Solskjaer with an embarrassment of attacking riches - and the problem of fitting them in without making his team top-heavy.


It's clear the Norwegian boss can't trust Paul Pogba (above) in a defensive midfield role

Sancho hasn't done nearly enough to justify his £73million price tag. The return of Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, has created problems of its own.

That may seem churlish after his second Champions League winner in a row against Atalanta made it six goals in eight games but, at 36, he is never going to be a player willing to press high or track back as much as his team-mates.

Ronaldo's unexpected arrival has also done Edinson Cavani few favours. The Uruguay striker had to be persuaded to sign on for a second season at United but has lost his No 7 shirt and his place in the team, starting just one game so far.

Getting Better

Even Solskjaer's harshest critics would not dispute that the club have made progress under him.

A lot of the dead wood has been cleared out and better players brought in. The team - and squad - are stronger, even though United aren't yet the sum of their parts.

Ronaldo's return has largely been a success and energised the club, despite the odd strop.

David de Gea has re-established himself as the No 1 goalkeeper with a string of good performances, Luke Shaw has been playing his best football for United, and Marcus Rashford is ready to kick on after scoring two goals in as many games on his return from injury.

Overall, the club are in better shape than when Solskjaer took over from Jose Mourinho.


David de Gea has re-established himself as the No 1 goalkeeper with a string of good displays



Back Trouble

Just one clean sheet in the last 20 games tells us all we need to know about United's defensive instability.

Equally worrying is the number of set-piece goals they continue to concede, despite bringing in Eric Ramsay from Chelsea to join an ever-growing coaching staff in the summer for that specific purpose.

Two of Leicester's goals came from set-pieces and Merih Demiral headed Atalanta's second from a corner.

Varane is a quality signing and his groin injury has come at a bad time. Harry Maguire was also said to be struggling with the ankle injury he sustained at the end of last season before picking up a calf strain.

But United need to defend better as a team, as Bruno Fernandes pointed out on Thursday.

'We have to concede less and score more,' said Fernandes. 'We can't just blame the defenders. We train to attack and defend as a team.

'Individual mistakes happen, we have to just try to understand what is wrong and do it better.'



Slacking Off

Part of that problem is United's failure to press opponents in the way Liverpool have done so successfully under Jurgen Klopp and City under Pep Guardiola.

Only three teams - Norwich, Newcastle and Brighton - have pressed less as a team than United this season, and it was shocking how easily Leicester passed through them.

Solskjaer was all about hard work when he came into the job, but his players aren't putting enough pressure on opponents, raising concerns that he is being too soft on them.

'If Pep and Klopp were in charge of this team, I think the front four would work a lot harder,' said Sportsmail columnist Peter Crouch. 'There's no way they would get away with it. I don't think Ole will upset players.'

Great Entertainers

If nothing else, Old Trafford certainly isn't dull these days and that was more than you could say for life under Mourinho and Louis van Gaal.

Raucous nights like Wednesday became a thing of the past and Solskjaer's United can't be faulted for entertainment value - even the rather sombre Scholes has to admit that.

'We watched boring Van Gaal and Mourinho teams, sending you to sleep,' he said. 'So to go from that to this is great.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10117807/Manchester-United-wildly-erratic-did-latest-dramatic-win-paper-cracks.html

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Gary Neville insists Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 5-3-2 'suits' Cristiano Ronaldo after Man United star 'looked like a little boy' at Liverpool - but he warns that Spurs win 'doesn't let anybody off the hook'

* Gary Neville feels Manchester United's 5-3-2 system suits Cristiano Ronaldo
* Ronaldo got a goal and an assist as Man United won 3-0 away to Tottenham
* In stark contrast, Ronaldo 'looked like a little boy' in the 5-0 defeat to Liverpool

Gary Neville believes that the 5-3-2 formation which Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deployed in Manchester United's 3-0 victory away to Tottenham brings the best out of Cristiano Ronaldo.

United were in need of a significant boost following the humiliating 5-0 defeat to Liverpool last weekend, during which Ronaldo was often left isolated.

Solskjaer, who has faced much speculation about his future, opted to deploy Edinson Cavani up front alongside Ronaldo and the decision proved to be an inspired one, with both players getting on the scoresheet before substitute Marcus Rashford added a third goal.

The result saw United move up to fifth place but Neville insisted that there is still much work to do and expressed frustration with the fact that it took Solskjaer so long to find the correct formula.


Gary Neville feels Cristiano Ronaldo is well suited to Manchester United's 5-3-2 formation. Neville stated that Ronaldo was much improved following his struggles in the loss to Liverpool

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said: 'I'm stunned it's taken six, seven, eight weeks of bad performances, inept attitude to defending without the ball, and why has it taken the manager to be on the brink of the sack and the 5-0 defeat to Liverpool to get into shape. I don't know why it's taken so long but they've certainly done something today; work hard as a team without the ball.

'I've not liked the body language in the last three or four games. The manager not looking like he can impact them. It looks like something's happened this week where they have come together.

'It's proved today they can put some sort of performance together. Why did United think they could press Liverpool? Today was a decent start but it doesn't let anybody off the hook. They've got games against Atalanta and City.'

There were concerns that when Ronaldo was deployed up front on his own it had a detrimental effect on the team defensively due to his lack of pressing.

However, switching to a two-man attack appears to be the way forward for United, while Raphael Varane, who returned from injury, slotted in well as part of a back three.

Ronaldo's goal against Tottenham, which put United ahead, was of a very high standard as he scored with a volley at the far post. He then set up Cavani to make it 2-0.

Neville continued: 'Varane did that job well today. I thought it made the midfield players more confident to press. The big difference is Cavani and Ronaldo being closer to the midfield. There's been a massive change this week. Why has it taken really bad performances to get to that point?'.

Neville dismissed suggestions that Ronaldo should be left out for some matches and stated that the Portugal international seemed far happier against Tottenham as opposed to the game against Liverpool, when 'he looked like a little boy.'

He said: 'If you have someone like Ronaldo in the dressing room you have to get him in the team.

'Leaving Sancho, Greenwood and Rashford on the bench is not the plan. He's played 4-2-3-1 the last seven matches, but the change in system did suit Ronaldo. Seeing him on his own up front against Liverpool, he looked like a little boy.'

Jadon Sancho, meanwhile, has had a difficult time since joining United from Borussia Dortmund and the winger was an unused substitute against Tottenham.


Neville questioned why it took Ole Gunnar Solskjaer so long to change his team's tactics. Ronaldo endured a frustrating time against Liverpool but responded well against Tottenham. Edinson Cavani (R) linked up well with Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes (L) also made an impact


Neville warned the 21-year-old that he could end up like Donny van de Beek, who has been on the periphery of proceedings since joining United.

Neville said: 'I can't help thinking about van de Beek. Sancho, if he's not careful, he's going to end up exactly the same.

He's come into a club that's looked completely disjointed.

'There's no organisation, there's no structure. He's actually putting a shift in. He must be sitting on that bench, thinking where's my career at Manchester United?'.'

It is a significant week for United, with the Champions League away to Atalanta on Tuesday followed by the Manchester derby at Old Trafford four days later.

Neville was eager to point out that, despite their victory against Tottenham, United still have much work to do in order to turn their overall situation around.

Solskjaer will have to make good use of his squad against Atalanta and ensure that he has his best team ready to face City.

Neville said: 'He's not going to be able to play that team in all three games, but he's got Rashford, he's got Greenwood. Lingard can come into the system. He's got to pick his team for City first and get at least a point in Atalanta. The City game has got alarm bells. They've got to prepare for that but make sure they treat Atalanta with respect.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10148695/Gary-Neville-insists-5-3-2-suits-Cristiano-Ronaldo-struggles-against-Liverpool.html

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer switched system to save his job - and after Spurs success he MUST stick to a back five for crunch clashes with Atalanta and Manchester City

* Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made a bold call to change his system and it worked well
* Manchester United smashed three past Tottenham in a huge result for the boss
* With Atalanta and Man City up next, Solskjaer must stick with a back five
* Both sides like to be on the front foot which will benefit United's counter style

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer switched to a 3-4-1-2 for Tottenham on Saturday and had he not, it might have been Manchester United releasing a club statement on Monday.

The decision to drop 4-2-3-1 for the first time this season worked. United not only achieved their second clean sheet in 22 games but they did not allow Tottenham a shot on target.

This system may only be a stop-gap, because it means Solskjaer must sacrifice one of his attackers to add a defender. But it is a good way for a manager under pressure to extract some much-needed immediate results.

It got a response out of this group and it is not a set-up that is totally alien to United. They won away at Paris Saint-Germain last season using 3-4-1-2. They beat Chelsea twice using it and Manchester City twice, too. It gives them greater protection at the back — they can build a defence around the impressive Raphael Varane, who United missed during his groin injury issue — and the use of split strikers troubles opponents.

Cristiano Ronaldo may not press but he is pretty good at sprinting when there is a breakaway which needs burying, and Edinson Cavani is a workhorse. The strike partnership, with a combined age of 70, worked to perfection against Tottenham, although Marcus Rashford could easily substitute in for Cavani if needed.

I would be amazed if Solskjaer drops the 3-4-1-2 for Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday, or for City in the Premier League on Saturday. These are two sides who will take the game to United. Atalanta were the top scorers in Serie A last season and City are, well, City.


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must stick with his back five for Manchester United's next two fixtures. The Red Devils smashed Tottenham 3-0 in a result that staved off the threat of the sack

United can set out their stall, like they did against Tottenham, and look to do damage on the counter. They have got the players to play that way. We know how Solskjaer loves to dish out history lessons whenever he is talking to the media — forever talking about their 'DNA' and 'identity' and how a club like United should be attacking opponents at will. But it is when United are the ones being attacked that they can seem more suited to winning a game of football.

The 3-4-1-2 system is good for that, even if it does leave Jadon Sancho on the outside looking in, because where would he fit into this set-up?

There will still be great scrutiny on Solskjaer and his side on Tuesday. One win over a lacklustre Tottenham side does not get you off the hook.


Solskjaer can build United's defence around Raphael Varane (L) alongside Harry Maguire (R). Atalanta and Man City's attacking incentive can play into Solskjaer's hands if he sticks with five

Late winners from your golden boy are good but they cannot always rely on Ronaldo to keep them in the Champions League. They have to do it together, as a team.

Atalanta have talented players. Mario Pasalic was impressive at Old Trafford and Duvan Zapata is finding himself in good goalscoring form of late.

But with a back three and a midfield two of Fred and Scott McTominay, with the wing-backs helping when out of possession, United have what it takes to keep Atalanta out.

Then with Bruno Fernandes playing balls forward for Ronaldo & Co, Solskjaer can finally secure a comfortable Champions League win.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10154135/Manchester-United-Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-stick-five.html

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists he is not on borrowed time despite admitting his Man United side were outclassed by rivals Man City in derby defeat that will put more scrutiny on his position

* Manchester City dominated rivals United to claim a 2-0 win at Old Trafford
* The result heaps more pressure on United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
* But the Norwegian insisted he is not on borrowed time ahead of fortnight break
* Solskjaer admitted his team are a long way behind rivals City and Liverpool
* Roy Keane and Gary Neville were both heavily critical of their former club

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted he is ready to soldier on as Manchester United manager after another chastening home defeat.

Eric Bailly’s own goal and Bernardo Silva’s clincher gave Manchester City the bragging rights in Saturday's derby and in turn heaped further pressure on Solskjaer.

The United boss conceded that the 2-0 defeat was ‘a big step backwards’ and admitted he is glad for the international break — as former United stars lined up to criticise ‘a mauling’ by their rivals.


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cut a dejected figure as his Man United side were outclassed by City

‘As long as I am here I want to do what I can do to improve this,’ said Solskjaer. ‘When you lose a game against a good team you want to see a better Man United team than that.

‘We needed to be aggressive. It [the international break] has come at a good time for us now. We’ve had a difficult spell.’

Pressed on whether he is the man to change the club’s fortunes, Solskjaer insisted: ‘Yes, definitely.’

City had toyed with their rivals at Old Trafford and alarmingly for United, Solskjaer acknowledged that he is currently picking teams to stifle opponents, having switched to a back five to beat Tottenham last Sunday.

‘Tottenham last week was good but it’s not what we want to look like,’ he added. ‘Unfortunately, we’ve had to [do that] to try and get results.


Solskjaer has got the better of Pep Guardiola in the past but didn't come close this time

‘We want to be on the front foot and be more aggressive. For us, it’s all about [the next game against] Watford. We have to come our like a hurt animal.’

Gary Neville ripped into United afterwards, with fellow former United captain Roy Keane cutting a figure of resignation in the Sky Sports studio.

‘They look frightened to death in possession and frightened to death out of possession — crumpled into a ball like they were waiting for defeat and that’s not good enough,’ said Neville.

‘I know the Liverpool defeat [two weeks ago] felt worse as it was a 5-0 but today was everything of a 5-0 but the scoreline in terms of the outcome of the game.

‘Ole’s under massive pressure but first he needs a team who play with courage.

‘In the last few minutes United resembled a drunk bloke at the end of the night trying to win a fight.’


Roy Keane criticised United, with the ex-midfielder saying their performances are too slack. Gary Neville said that United look 'frightened to death' both in and out of possession

Keane suggested Solskjaer’s team are too slack in their displays. ‘Ole has to take responsibility. I’ve defended Ole but he’s a manager, his staff have got to look at it and they’ve got to get more out of these players,’ he said.

‘But they just don’t have that desire to stay in the fight. This team doesn’t have what I would use, personality. Regroup as a team, you’re on the ropes you’ve got to keep swinging. These boys are too casual.

‘I’d like to go in hard on the United players but to be honest I’m feeling sorry for them. I just think some of them are not good enough to play for Man United.’

Bruno Fernandes called on the squad to ask themselves tough questions after a fourth Premier League defeat of the season that leaves them six points behind City.

‘Everyone has to look at themselves,’ said the United playmaker. ‘You have to look in the mirror at what you are doing wrong.

‘You cannot change the mentality of anyone else, you have to look at yourself and understand what you can do better.

‘Today showed we are not at the same level as them. We have to change because this has happened many, many times already. We have to do better. Me being here, I am saying the same stuff. We have to speak less and do more.

‘What we did was not enough. They had space and time on the ball, which we should not do against this type of team and against these types of players.’

United had been indebted to goalkeeper David De Gea for a string of fine saves before half-time but a collection of defensive mistakes saw City reach half-time two goals clear.

‘They don’t give you opportunities to win the ball off them,’ added Solskjaer. ‘We were not at our level and standards need to be raised.

‘The whole place went a little bit. You are disappointed with first goal but we did not play well. We don’t trust ourselves with the ball and don’t pass as well as I know we can.

‘We have to get back to what we started to look like at the end of last season and start of this season. We were passive.’

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10172359/Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-admits-Man-United-outclassed-Man-City.html

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Manchester United hit by REVOLT against Ole: Bruno Fernandes among stars who feel they are not getting enough direction from Solskjaer, while Cristiano Ronaldo is alarmed by the drop in standards and players sympathise with Donny van de Beek

* Man United are now giving serious consideration to axing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
* The plan was to at least keep the Norwegian in charge until the end of the season
* Humiliating defeats to rivals Liverpool and Man City have now changed things
* Players, including Bruno Fernandes, feel they are not getting enough direction
* Talisman Cristiano Ronaldo is now alarmed by how much standards have dipped

Manchester United’s plans to keep Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in charge until the end of the season have been thrown into disarray by the calamitous performances against Manchester City and Liverpool.

United were hoping to make a decision on Solskjaer’s future in the summer when any change of manager could be planned out. However, back-to-back home defeats have piled the pressure on the Norwegian with Saturday’s lame surrender in the Manchester derby following the 5-0 embarrassment against Liverpool.

Solskjaer’s position is coming under intense scrutiny yet again after a dreadful run of six defeats in the last 12 games, culminating in the 2-0 loss to City at Old Trafford.

The feeling of optimism around the club in the summer that he could lead United to a title challenge this season has given way to a sense of shock and uncertainty.

United were booed off at half-time and full time against City following a defeat that was every bit as humiliating as the five-goal mauling against Liverpool two weeks earlier.

The tame nature of United’s defeat has left Solskjaer once again fighting to keep his job after the club spent £135.6million on Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane in the summer to give him a squad as good as any in the top flight.

So far, there has been no appetite among the United hierarchy to sack Solskjaer having aligned themselves so closely with the Old Trafford legend and his task of restoring the club’s true values after succeeding Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal.

Co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward would have preferred to wait until the summer to assess the situation when the Norwegian would have been in the job for three-and-a-half years. Any change then would be viewed as considered with more time to install a suitable replacement.

They resisted calls to axe Solskjaer and appoint Antonio Conte two weeks ago before the Italian joined Tottenham because he was seen as a short-term option and too confrontational.

However, action may be forced on Solskjaer’s bosses if they decide that the former Cardiff manager is no longer capable of stopping the slide.


Man United had planned to keep Ole Gunnar Solskjaer until the end of the season but big defeats to Liverpool and Man City have caused a potential rethink. Against City in the derby Solskjaer was comprehensively outsmarted by Pep Guardiola. The United boss has a star-studded squad but is failing to get results out of his players

On Sunday night, United and sources close to Brendan Rodgers played down speculation that the Leicester City boss has already been approached to replace Solskjaer.

After the international break, United face Watford, Chelsea, Arsenal and Crystal Palace in the Premier League having dropped nine points behind leaders Chelsea after only 11 games.

They also face Villarreal and Young Boys in the Champions League with qualification from a relatively easy Group F far from guaranteed.

Doubts are growing within a squad of players who seemed so tight-knit on a pre-season training camp in Scotland last summer, encouraging senior United figures that they would mount a strong title challenge.

It is understood that Fernandes is among the players who feel as though they aren’t being given a clear plan by Solskjaer and his overgrown backroom team, with others expressing concern that too many young coaches are learning on the job.


Bruno Fernandes is growing tired of the situation and feels not enough direction is given

After failing so miserably to execute a pressing game against Liverpool, United changed to a more defensive 3-4-1-2 that doesn’t suit the club’s ambitions or the attacking squad he has assembled.

However, Solskjaer’s tactics were easily dismantled by Pep Guardiola who used his wide players, Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus, to pin down United’s wing-backs. Solskjaer changed to a back four at half-time but the game was lost by then.

Ronaldo was well aware when he returned to United that times had changed in the 12 years he had been away, but the Portugal star is said to be shocked at just how far the standards have slipped.

His frustration boiled over again when he was booked for a cynical late challenge on Kevin De Bruyne, having escaped a red card against Liverpool when he hacked out at Curtis Jones.

There is also a feeling within the dressing room that Solskjaer shows favouritism to some players and is too soft on the squad.

Questions have been asked about whether United’s work-rate would be so poor if Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp were in charge.

Harry Maguire continues to be selected despite a catastrophic loss of form which sources believe started after playing for England at the Euros. Luke Shaw, too, hasn’t been the same player since the tournament.

Yet Van de Beek continues to be largely frozen out by Solskjaer who is also ignoring Jesse Lingard. There are fears that Sancho’s career is stagnating little more than three months after his £73million arrival from Dortmund.


United players sympathise with Donny van de Beek and feel he should be getting more games

Van de Beek and Sancho came on as substitutes against City, and the warm welcome United fans gave the Dutchman is as close as they have come to turning against Solskjaer.

Van de Beek’s team-mates don’t understand why he hasn’t been given more of a chance since his £40m move from Ajax.

The other United substitute on Saturday was Rashford, but it’s understood the England forward returned from the Champions League draw against Atalanta in Italy with flu symptoms and was sent home from training on Wednesday.

Rashford did not train on Thursday or Friday — and stayed away from the team hotel before the derby — but was deemed a better option than Lingard or Anthony Martial when he was sent on in the 67th minute.

The decision mystified his team-mates and an under-par Rashford struggled to offer anything as United slipped to another chastening defeat.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10175199/Man-United-REVOLT-against-Solskjaer-Ronaldo-Fernandes-unhappy-City-loss.html

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Ian Wright insists Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has 'reached his level' as a manager and can take Manchester United no further... as he compares the club's stalling to Chelsea's ruthlessness in sacking their legend Frank Lampard

* Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is under mounting pressure at Manchester United
* The Red Devils have suffered comprehensive defeats to their biggest rivals
* Ian Wright says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has 'reached his level' as a manager
* He pointed out Chelsea's example of making the tough decision to sack a legend

Ian Wright believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has 'reached his level' as a manager at Manchester United.

The Red Devils have had a tough start to the season and the Norwegian is under mounting pressure following comprehensive defeats to rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.

No managerial change seems imminent but a number of pundits including former United team-mate Rio Ferdinand, have suggested that Solskjaer should hand over the baton.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright agrees with Ferdinand and has suggested that Solskjaer has reached his ultimate potential as a manager.

He said on the Wrighty's House podcast: ‘Every pundit is seeing and saying the same thing, no direction, no coordination, no structure with great players.

'If they get it right in situations, they are going to beat teams. But anyone who is organised against Man United, like we saw at Leicester, like we saw Liverpool do at a canter, you’ll cause them a massive problem.

‘And that is happening simply because the manager has got to his level.'


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is under mounting pressure at Manchester United due to poor form. Arsenal legend Ian Wright has claimed that Solskjaer has 'reached his level' as a manager. Pundits including Rio Ferdinand have suggested that United and Solskjaer should part ways

‘I’m looking at ex-Man United players, Rio [Ferdinand], Roy Keane, now we are starting to hear stuff, they cannot wait to say this player is not good enough, that player is not good enough. We say it flippantly. But this manager has reached his level.'

Wright brought up Chelsea's decision to part ways with club legend Frank Lampard back in January.

The Chelsea great was under immense pressure after a poor stretch of form, which led to him being replaced by Thomas Tuchel.

Although there were doubts over their decision at the time, it ultimately paid off, as the German guided Chelsea to the Champions League trophy within four months of joining.

Wright added: 'I have to keep going back to what Chelsea did with Frank, their great legend.

‘This is the thing with (Roman) Abramovich, he doesn’t care. If it is not working how he thinks it should be working, they are out.’

Lampard was sacked by Chelsea when the club were ninth in the Premier League, with just one win in their previous five games.

Despite the mounting pressure on Solskjaer, he is expected to still be in charge by the time United face Watford at the end of the international break.

United finished second in the league last season and made big name signings over the summer including Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Despite this, the Red Devils are already nine points off league leaders Chelsea after just 11 games.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10188883/Ian-Wright-insists-Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-reached-level-Manchester-United.html

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Manchester United's fringe players 'feel MISLED by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Donny van de Beek, Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and others grow frustrated with the manager's reluctance to rotate', despite his side's inconsistency

* A number of Man United players are feeling misled by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
* Donny van de Beek and Jesse Lingard have played limited minutes this season
* Some stars backed out of moves as they believed they would play at United
* However, Solskjaer has stayed loyal to the same stars despite a torrid run
* The Norwegian faces a crunch run of five games in 15 days to save his job

A handful of Manchester United's fringe players are reportedly feeling misled about their playing prospects this season, with frustrations growing about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reluctance to rotate his squad.

Solskjaer, 48, opted for a big squad for the current season with the Norwegian adamant that a larger playing group would help the Red Devils compete on all fronts throughout the rigorous campaign.

The United boss previously admitted that he had 'overplayed' Bruno Fernandes and although United are in the midst of a dire run of results that has left his job hanging by a thread, Solskjaer has refused to draft in his squad players.

According to The Telegraph, Donny van de Beek, Jesse Lingard, Dean Henderson, Eric Bailly, Alex Telles, Diogo Dalot, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial entered the season expecting to be afforded more playing time by the boss.


A number of Manchester United stars are reportedly feeling 'misled' by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Donny van de Beek (left) and Jesse Lingard (right) have played limited minutes this season

However, despite dismal performances against Liverpool and Manchester City at Old Trafford that have left supporters calling for Solskjaer's head, the Norwegian has doggedly stuck with the same group of players.

Solskjaer's reluctance to introduce his exiled stars has onset a mounting frustration among some players, particularly in light of the fact that some stars opted against leaving the club in the summer as they believed they would be given more playing time at United.

The Red Devils enter a run of five games in 15 days following the international break which could be critical in Solskjaer's fight to save his job. The 48-year-old has taken just four points from the last 18 available in the league.


Eric Bailly (left) and Anthony Martial (right) are also reportedly frustrated with Solskjaer. Alex Telles and Juan Mata are also understood to be unhappy at Man United

Former Ajax star Van de Beek has started a total of four top-flight games since moving from the Dutch giants in the summer of 2020 and has played just 15 minutes in the Premier League this term. A January loan move to either Wolves or Everton has been mooted.

Lingard was persuaded to stay at Old Trafford in the summer with a host of clubs interested in the Englishman following his outstanding loan spell at West Ham.

The United academy product has yet to start a league game, however, and has snubbed the club's efforts to offer him a new contract, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.

The Telegraph adds that Lingard's exile from the first team is a source of bemusement among his team-mates.

Bailly signed a new deal last summer but has only featured three times this season – against West Ham in the League Cup, Atalanta in the Champions League, and City in the league.

Last month, reports suggested that the Ivorian was confused as to why he was offered a new deal if Solskjaer has no intention of playing him.

Mata's only appearance this season came in the League Cup defeat to West Ham while Telles hinted at his frustration in a cryptic post on Instagram prior to United's win at Spurs.

Meanwhile, Martial has fallen down in the pecking order at United with Cristiano Ronaldo, Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho ahead of the Frenchman as it stands.

Henderson was in line to take over from David de Gea as United's No 1, but the Englishman contracted coronavirus and the Spaniard's superb start to the campaign has hampered the former Sheffield United loan star's development.

United travel to Vicarage Road to take on Watford this weekend, before taking on Villarreal in a crunch Champions League clash next Tuesday.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10204755/Manchester-United-exiles-feel-MISLED-Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-Donny-van-Beek-grows-frustrated.html

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer held CRISIS talks with senior Man United players including Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire ahead of Watford clash to decide how to salvage the season... and save his job

* Ole Gunnar Solskjaer held crisis talks with senior Man United stars on Thursday
* Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and captain Harry Maguire were consulted
* Solskjaer wanted to discuss how United can turn around their faltering season
* The 48-year-old has retained support but his job is still hanging by a thread

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer held crisis talks with his senior players on Thursday as he tried to salvage Manchester United’s season — and save his job.

Solskjaer spoke to captain Harry Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic in a 10am meeting at Carrington.

The 48-year-old wanted to discuss how United can turn the season around, and the tactical plan after switching to a back three in the last three games.

Solskjaer is desperate to get his team back on track at Watford on Saturday after a run of six defeats in 12 games including humiliations at the hands of Liverpool and Manchester City.

The Old Trafford hierarchy have resisted calls to sack Solskjaer, who spent part of the international break at home in Norway. However, he is on thin ice going into a key period that will decide United’s European fate and includes league fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal.

Another defeat at Vicarage Road on Saturday or in Tuesday’s Champions League group tie at Villarreal would pile more pressure on the under-fire boss.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has been linked with the United job in recent weeks, but the Northern Irishman says the speculation risks affecting his own players, who are looking to revitalise their season.

Rodgers, whose side host Chelsea this weekend, said: ‘It doesn’t frustrate me personally, because my focus is the next game, which is Chelsea.

‘But it’s frustrating for the fans and, I would say, for my players.

‘If anyone were to read what’s been out there, then that can destabilise. I’m the Leicester City manager, proud to be here, and fully committed. All the other noise around that is something we cannot control.’

Rodgers maintains that he and Leicester’s owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha have an ideal working relationship. ‘I have a huge respect for Khun Top and the protection of his father’s legacy. I feel I’m in the right place, with the right people,’ he added.

Meanwhile, Jesse Lingard wants to leave United in January after abandoning contract talks.


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer held crisis talks with senior players on Thursday in a bid to save his job. Among the players consulted was Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes

Lingard rejected United’s offer in October, which is understood to have been worth less than his current deal at Old Trafford, and the 28-year-old has no plans to re-open negotiations.

Lingard, who has started just one game for the club this season, would prefer to go out on loan again in January — having enjoyed a successful spell at West Ham in the second half of last season — and then end a 22-year association with United when his contract runs out at the end of June.

He will be able to leave as a free agent in the summer and can open talks with foreign clubs from January 1, having attracted strong interest from Barcelona and AC Milan.

A representative from Lingard’s camp is thought to have travelled to Spain for talks with clubs last week.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10218805/Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-held-CRISIS-talks-senior-United-players-including-Ronaldo-Maguire.html