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OLD TRAFFORD – Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is facing increasing scrutiny for leading the team’s loss to Aston Villa 1-0 in the Premier League last Saturday.
Despite the defeat, being third out of the last four games, Solskjaer managed to retain full support from the board as they were confident that United were on the right path towards the summit of English and European football under his stewardship.
According to reports, the 48-year-old Norwegian was offered a three-year contract during the summer window.
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said, in a statement, that their summer transfer activity proved their commitment to the main team in the dugout.
“We significantly strengthened the squad over the summer, with the addition of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Tom Heaton,” the statement read.
“These signings have demonstrated our continued ability to attract some of the world's best footballers to Old Trafford, and our firm commitment to helping Ole deliver success on the pitch.
“We were delighted to welcome back Cristiano to the club, along with Raphael, Jadon and Tom, to further reinforce the progress that our first team has been making under Ole.
"We have been clear in our strategy to build a squad with a blend of top-class recruits and homegrown talent, comprising a balance of youth and experience, to win trophies and play attacking football the Manchester United way.”
Even though he currently has the support of those above him, Solskjaer has previously admitted that he knows he is only a handful of games from the chop.
“Of course, you’ve got to look at the short-term results as well but my vision is long term and my discussions with the club have always been long term,” he said at the end of 2020.
“But also short term, you can't not think about the next six games.
“You’ve got to think about the next game and the next six. You also have to plan and think for the bigger picture. For me, I can only speak from my experience.”
The home reversal came just four days after they lost by the same scoreline to West Ham in the Carabao Cup.
Add a humbling 2-1 defeat to Young Boys in the Champions League and the Red Devils’ good early season form now completely eludes them. – Agencies, September 28, 2021