Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is reluctant to sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and appoint Mauricio Pochettino, according to reports. Solskjaer’s future at Old Trafford is under further scrutiny this week following United’s 3-2 defeat to RB Leipzig which dumped them out of the Champions League. United also made a poor start to the Premier League campaign but four consecutive wins have put Solskjaer’s side five points behind Liverpool and Tottenham, who have both played a game more. Speaking last month, Pochettino made it clear that he is ready to return to management having been out of work since he was sacked by Tottenham nearly 13 months ago.
‘I hope to go back soon so we can start again to work,’ said the Argentine. ‘I am looking forward to being back in the game.’ But despite Pochettino’s availability, The Times report that Woodward is currently against getting rid of Solskjaer.
The report claims that Woodward believes United are heading in the right direction with Solskjaer in charge. It’s also claimed that Woodward is reluctant to request that the Glazer family make another managerial change, which would be their fifth permanent appointment since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Solskjaer was handed a three-year contract in March 2019 and guided United to a third-place finish in the Premier League in his first full season at the club.
However, United’s senior players are now reportedly having reservations over Solskjaer’s managerial style and believe the Norwegian is making too many tactical and personnel changes. The Times also reported that an agent to several top footballers claim he would currently advise players to join Everton ahead of United because Carlo Ancelotti ‘has a better grasp of the game’ in comparison to Solskjaer.
