The voices clamouring for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sack are getting louder by the day. With every decision the Norwegian makes, he seems to be giving fodder to those voices.
Solskjaer's tactical nous has again come into question, with many questioning his ability to lead a team as big as Manchester United. One of the excuses made for him is that he is rebuilding. His defenders claim he has brought the team from somewhere bad to a good place.
The excuse falls flat on its face when put under the spotlight. Trophies were won with a far inferior side by Ole's predecessors. Things are beginning to unravel for Solskjaer as results this season have left bile in the mouths of numerous fans. One of the people dissatisfied with the way Ole has managed the Red Devils affair is Cristiano Ronaldo, who might be the final nail on the coffin for Solskjaer.
Ronaldo reportedly angry at Solskjaer
Amid the spate of bad results that have dogged Manchester United since the seasond, the team gaffer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer decided to rotate his squad against Everton - a game they needed maximum points. The coach decided to bench Cristiano Ronaldo, a decision that did not sit well with the Portuguese.
Reports have it that the team's topscorer was furious at the decision. Ronaldo scored a late winner against Villarreal in the Champions League midweek. Solskjaer decided to keep Ronaldo on the bench, with Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martialng.
Anthony Martial scored the opener, initially showing the changes to be justified.
The Toffees got their equalizer in the 65th minute via Andros Townsend, the goal coming eight minutes after the introduction of Cristiano Ronaldo. It could have all gone south for the Red Devils with Yerry Mina's goal in the 86th minute chucked off by VAR for offside.
Question marks over Ole's suitability for the Old Trafford job
Ronaldo's anger at Ole's decisions was evident as he angrily stormed down the tunnel after the final whistle. According to the Daily Express, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was angry at being benched for the game.
Everton presented a weakened team, and everyone expected Solskjaer to field his best squad to ensure three points. With the league going into the international break, a rotation was surprising, especially as Everton was not at its best. Manchester United still had enough on the pitch to pick up all three points. It calls into question Ole's ability to take the team to the next level.
When asked about his decisions, Solskjaer was on the defensive. He said he had to make decisions throughout a long season and that he had to manage the players' workload. He insisted that the decision he made was the right one.
Solskjaer recently mocked rumours speculating about his sack, but there could be substance to it all after all.
Reports are now claiming Gareth Southgate could be in line to replace the Norwegian, and the latest odds suggest a run of poor games could see this happen.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
