MANCHESTER UNITED legend Gary Neville does not believe Manchester United will sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer despite their 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool.
Neville, 46, was damning in his verdict of his former side’s performance in yesterday’s defeat at Old Trafford, but he does not believe that Solskjaer’s job is under immediate threat.
He said: “I don’t think they’re close to winning the league, I don’t think they’re close to winning the Champions League, I don’t think they’re close to Liverpool, Man City or Chelsea at the moment.
“It’s painful watching that interview. We’ve seen managers, and I’ve been there for a short period, have to field questions like that, and it’s not great but it’s part of the game, it’s what you’re there for.
“You’re at Manchester United, it’s a big boys’ game, it’s a big boys’ club and you lose a game against Liverpool 5-0 at home, you’re going to come under horrific pressure.
“What I’ve got no doubts is that the club is different today, if this was in the media post-Sir Alex Ferguson aftermath, Ole would be in massive trouble tonight.
“I think the club will hold their nerve, I don’t think they’ve planned for a new manager in this season, I think they’ll get to the end of the season, I think they’ll sit with Ole until the end of the season.
“I know there’ll be a massive outcry from fans, from the media, from everybody that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be sacked and I can understand that after that game, 5-0.
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“It’s nowhere near good enough, that was a monstrously bad day, it takes some recovery.”
It comes after a host of fans and pundits alike called for Solskjaer to resign in the wake of yesterday’s result, with the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Antonio Conte available as potential replacements.
And although Neville does not believe the Old Trafford hierarchy will axe Solskaer any time soon, he claims the Red Devils are some way off their rivals under his former teammate’s management.
“Ole believes he’s close. I remain to be convinced because I look at those players on the pitch and I watch the other teams.
“Unfortunately for me, I have to go and watch Manchester City live a lot, and Liverpool and Chelsea, and they’re really good. And Manchester United aren’t good. They’re nowhere near as good.
“I want to see a structured, organised performance and I want to see it next Saturday, because I’m going down to White Hart Lane next Saturday to Tottenham, it’s got to start now.”
Seventh and sixth go head to head as Man Utd take on Spurs away on Saturday, followed by another away trip to Atalanta in the Champions League next week.
The Red Devils face another tricky test at home to rivals Man City on 6 November, in what will be a huge chance for Solskjaer to turn things around after four defeats in their last seven in all competitions.
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