Varun Pai
Manchester United players in complete support of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer despite recent form
According to The Athletic (Subscription Required) [h/t The Express], Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has the backing of the entire Manchester United dressing room despite itchy recent form, and that the players ‘like him’ and ‘want him to succeed’.
The Red Devils handed a contract extension to the Norwegian earlier this summer, indicating that he is a part of the long-term strategy at the club and that they believe in him.
The subsequent investments in the likes of Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane, and Cristiano Ronaldo was also a clear sign of that and all three are likely to come good for the 48-year-old sooner rather than later. However, recent performances might have caused of shudder of doubt in the boardroom over handing a new deal to Solskjaer.
An early exit in the EFL Cup, 3rd place in their UEFA Champions League group, and unconvincing performances against Wolves, Southampton, West Ham, Aston Villa, and Everton are not portraying a good picture for the former United striker.
However, despite all of this, the dressing room is said to be in complete support of their Norwegian boss and all the players want him to succeed. But while they do want that, there is a lack of belief in the coaching methods.
The players feel that they could be trained by coaches of ‘elite experience’ rather than Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna, according to the information provided by a source of The Athletic (h/t The Express).
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Carrick was an assistant to Mourinho while McKenna had coached the U-18s of Tottenham Hotspur. It has been deemed that McKenna’s coaching methods are ‘schoolmasterly’ while the former English international’s strengths are in spotting details and influencing players.
Thus, while Solskjaer does have the support of the dressing room, there could be some kind of unrest boiling at Old Trafford, and it remains to be seen what happens if the poor performances continue.
