Pressure is mounting on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as reports emerge that a number of Manchester United stars are unhappy with the Norwegian following the 2-0 loss to Manchester City
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly on the verge of a ‘dressing room revolt’ at Manchester United with key stars Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo unhappy following recent results.
The Norwegian is on thin ice after overseeing a dreadful run of form. Saturday’s sobering 2-0 defeat against Manchester City condemned United to their sixth defeat in 12 games.
Those results mean United are already nine points behind leaders Chelsea – despite expectations that a serious title challenge would be launched this year.
Following the devastating 5-0 defeat to Liverpool this month, it was reported that Solskjaer had three games to save his job. And although his future remains unclear after mixed results over that short period, dressing room unrest could prove terminal for Solskjaer, who seems to be lurching from one disaster to another.
The Daily Mail reports that various stars in the United squad are unhappy with Solskjaer, with Fernandes and Ronaldo, two of United’s most influential players, leading the ‘revolt’ – with the club now said to be seriously considering axing Solskjaer.
Fernandes is said to be one of several United players who believe that Solskjaer hasn’t given the squad a clear plan.
Solskjaer has chopped and changed his system in the aftermath of that Liverpool mauling, with United deploying a back five in the 3-0 win against Tottenham. But the system has failed to work well against Atalanta and Manchester City.
There are growing concerns at Old Trafford that Solskjaer lacks the tactical nous to tussle with bosses such as Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
The report goes on to state that Ronaldo is also far from happy inside the United dressing.
Although the Portuguese star was aware that United are no longer the force now than they were over a decade ago before his departure, but he has apparently been left shocked at just how far standards have slipped.
Ronaldo’s frustration has been evident in recent games with a wild swipe at Curtis Jones before lunging in late on Kevin De Bruyne at the weekend, with United’s No.7 fortunate to avoid seeing red on both occasions.
To make matters worse, some players are said to feel that the United chief shows favouritism to members of the squad, and there is believed to be a growing frustration around how certain players are viewed by Solskjaer.
Donny van de Beek has continued to be ignored since arriving, while Jesse Lingard has also been shunned this term despite the attacker’s impressive return to form at West Ham last season.
United’s squad are apparently baffled as to why Van de Beek in particular hasn’t been given a chance in the first team.
When the Dutchman was introduced in the second half against City, he was treated to a thunderous reception at Old Trafford – the closest United fans have come to turning against Solskjaer during his abject run.
After suffering a barrage of criticism and scrutiny over the past few weeks, it’s looking like Solskjaer will have to hunker down during the international break as speculation rumbles on over his future.
