Man Utd manager Solskjaer has until end of the month to save his job
Trip to Norwich will be an ‘acid test’ for Ole - unless his team gets hammered by Liverpool first
Manchester United will show Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the door if his team loses to Norwich City at the end of the month, claims The Sun, although the paper adds that he could be gone even sooner, if the Red Devils “get hammered by Liverpool first”.
Currently languishing 12th in the table, 15 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, United will host the Anfield side at Old Trafford on Sunday 20 October.
The United board are braced for defeat in that match - although if Jurgen Klopp’s boys smash their hosts then that could signal the end for Solskjaer.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
More likely, however, says the Sun, is that Solskjaer’s fate will rest on the trip to Carrow Road to play Norwich on October 27.
Acid test
That will be the “acid test” for the Norwegian, and if he fails it he will be given his P45 and the United board will start the hunt for their fifth manager in six years.
Having lost already to West Ham, Crystal Palace and Newcastle, defeat to newly-promoted Norwich will signal to the fans that United are “genuinely in a relegation fight”.
That’s unacceptable and so Solskjaer would be sacked just ten months after he was hailed as the saviour of the Theatre of Dreams.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues free–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Fear factor
United have made their worst start to a league campaign in 30 years and according to Metro Solskjaer is “fearful” that a heavy defeat against Liverpool would leave the board no option but to fire him.
If that’s the case, says the paper, he would receive a £7m pay-off, which is peanuts to the £19.6m Jose Mourinho pocketed when he was given the boot in December.
But even if Solskjaer avoids a heavy defeat to Liverpool, and comes away from Carrow Road with three points, his future might still not be secure.
United then travel to Chelsea in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup on 30 October and hit the road against Bournemouth in the Premier League a few days later.
Solskjaer’s team hasn’t won away from home since February and two more reverses would ramp up the pressure once more.
In Arsene we trust?
As to who is favourite to replace Solskjaer in the event he doesn’t make it to November, The Sun says that Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is the bookies’s best bet at 3-1 with Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers at 9-2 and former Juventus head honcho Massimiliano Allegri at 6-1.
The Sun also tips former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as a 16-1 outsider, saying that the 69-year-old “insists there is still a desire for coaching”.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues free–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published