Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is walking on a tightrope with his side having secured just one point out of a possible nine in the last three premier league games, with just two wins from last seven games in all competitions.The Norwegian is now under immense pressure as united are set to face free scoring Atalanta, Liverpool, Tottenham, Atalanta and Manchester City in the next five fixtures.
It has been a tough spell for the Manchester outfit with the manager coming under fire after the latest 4-2 demolition by Leicester City, which left the Red devils who have the second most expensive squad with a little over £1B languishing in sixth place,five points adrift of league leaders Chelsea who have already played City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham with united yet to play any of the traditional big six.
Solskjaer who has been critisized for his decision to rush a seemingly unfit Harry Maguire into the side that lost to Leicester will be seeking to solve his defensive woes,with the Reds major problem being giving away easy goals having conceded 14 goals in nine games this season with only one clean sheet in the same period.This comes at a time when their newly acquired french centre back Raphael Varane is set to miss in action for a few weeks with a groin problem.
The 20-time premier league champions lack identity in their playing approach, a problem which has made it difficult for them to dominate games this season.All that in addition to Solskjaer not being able to find a suitable midfield combination that can make the team click and produce results with further questions from the fan base for not deploying Dutch playmaker Donny Van De Beek who has been given little or no game time in recent weeks.
United have been struggling in front of goal despite having excellent attacking firepower including their new signings Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho, who is yet to register a goal contribution so far this season with the manager heavily relying on talented youngster Mason Greenwood and their Portuguese magnifico Bruno Fernandes, as Cristiano Ronaldo is facing a dry spell infront of goal.
However the side will be rejuvenated by the arrival of Marcus Rashford who scored on his comeback from injury this weekend against Leicester City and will be looking to continue with his fine form in front of goal from last season.Edinson Cavani could provide further boost in solving Solskjaer’s side struggles in front of goal having missed the weekend fixture due to international commitments.
Manchester United’s board are reportedly having faith in their manager as things stand but the question remains, will Solskjaer turn things around or is he living on borrowed time?
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