The pair have contrasting views on Solskjaer’s future
Gary Neville has responded to Rio Ferdinand’s claims that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be sacked by Manchester United.
Solskjaer has come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks following Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat against Manchester City and the 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool last month.
United have lost four of their opening 11 Premier League fixtures and currently sit in sixth position – nine points off league-leaders Chelsea.
Ferdinand has been critical of Solskjaer in recent months, questioning him following the defeat to Young Boys in the Champions League in September, as well as the club’s decision to reward Phil Jones with a new contract.
Now, the former United and England defender has said that it might be time for the Norwegian to leave Old Trafford, adding he “would leave with his head held high”.
Speaking on his Vibe with Five YouTube show, he said: “From where he came in to where he got us at the beginning of this season, I think it’s positive.”
He added: “I look at our team every week and wonder what we are going to do, tactically.
“I don’t see any philosophy or an identity in the United way of playing, whatever that should be from the management. I sit here confused looking at the team.”
I believe if Ole leaves Manchester United now, he walks away with his head held high… we discuss in depth today!
Thoughts?
🔗 https://t.co/GB1QSAaLsI#VibeWithFive#MUFC pic.twitter.com/cwQvFSGuA9
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) November 8, 2021
Although it doesn’t appear that the Red Devils will make a managerial change in the imminent future, Ferdinand says that he is left “confused” whenever he watches Solskjaer’s team.
“When you look at it like that with the summer transfer window we had, we were all sitting here excited, thinking ‘this is where we’re meant to be’,” added the 43-year-old, who won six league titles in 12 years at United.
“I go back to the point. Ole was brought in with the remit to get us back to a point, a moment where you think he’s brought some foundation back. At the beginning of this season we were thinking ‘yes, that’s it’.”
Ferdinand also admitted that he has never been “fully convinced” of Solskjaer’s ability to transform United back into Premier League and Champions League contenders.
He said: “I was always deep down a bit sceptical. Could he take us on to be champions? I wasn’t sure, I wasn’t fully convinced, but hoped he would be able to do that.
“But the showing with the squad he accumulated to the beginning of this season and what I’ve seen this season, I just feel that maybe it might be the time now for the baton to be handed over to someone else who can take us on.”
However, Neville has since responded to his former teammates’ comments, with the Sky Sports pundit refusing to call for the sacking of the United boss.
Never. Thank you for asking though 👍 https://t.co/z5Xr4KGGWu
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) November 9, 2021
When asked ‘when he was going to throw in the towel’ in regard to Solskjaer’s situation at the club, the former defender said: “Never. Thank you for asking though”.
With a number of United players away on international duty, Solskjaer has returned to Norway for a few days and is believed to have given his non-international players some time off, as per the BBC.
Related links:
- Premier League reject proposal for clubs to wear away kits on Boxing Day for homeless charity
- Roy Keane gets into a heated exchange with fan after Manchester Derby
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly faces “revolt” from Man Utd squad
