- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was at Carrington on Monday to start picking up the pieces
- The Manchester United boss is under huge pressure after the Liverpool defeat
- But United’s silence over Solskjaer’s future is an ominous look for the manager
Manchester United are remaining silent amid growing speculation over the future of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
United have been plunged into crisis by Sunday’s catastrophic 5-0 defeat to bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford, casting further doubt over Solskjaer’s position.
It is not the first time questions have been asked over the Norwegian’s future since he returned to the club to succeed Jose Mourinho nearly three years ago.
Whereas United sources have previously offered Solskjaer unequivocal backing, however, the silence at Old Trafford on Monday was deafening.
Given repeated opportunities to offer the manager a vote of confidence, none has been forthcoming.
Sportsmail understands that Solskjaer was at Carrington for two-and-a-half hours around lunchtime even though the players and coaching staff have been given a day off. Raphael Varane, Nemanja Matic and Phil Jones were the only players at the training ground along with goalkeeper coach Richard Hartiss.
Solskjaer is preparing for Saturday’s trip to Tottenham but there are no guarantees that he will remain in charge as chairmen Joel and Avi Glazer hold talks with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and managing director Richard Arnold over how to handle the crisis.
There are concerns that Solskjaer lacks the experience to get himself out of trouble and is too soft on his players.
It’s understood that Mike Phelan is a more peripheral figure now despite recently signing a new contract, and coaches Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick – who have yet to agree new deals – are also too inexperienced.
United’s humiliation at the hands of Liverpool was their fifth defeat in the last nine games, and the first time they have been beaten 5-0 at home in 66 years. It equalled their record defeat to Liverpool in 1925.
Four of the next five league games are against Spurs, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal, raising fears that the crisis could only worsen.
Solskjaer insisted that he would not quit after Sunday’s debacle, despite describing it as his ‘darkest day’, but admitted that the decision is out of his hands.
‘I’ve heard nothing else (from the club) and I’m still thinking about tomorrow’s work,’ he said.
‘Of course, we’re all low. I can’t say now I’ve felt any worse than this. It’s the worst I’ve been, the lowest I’ve been, but I accept the responsibility. That is mine today and it’s mine going forward.’
Daily Mail UK
