Manchester United is in bad shape, and the blame for the club's show of mediocrity has been heaped on team manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Rumors are ablaze the Norwegian will soon be shown the exit door and fans can't seem to contain their excitement on who gets to replace the boss.
Solskjaer himself seemed resigned to the scenario of him getting the boot soon. The Red Devils suffering a defeat against Newcastle served to confirm the gloom now overcasting the Old Trafford. The loss only increased the pressure on Solskjaer, and he acknowledged "his job hangs in the balance," Metro reported.
Solskjaer called his team an embarrassment after the loss and admitted they lost control of the game.
In the immediate aftermath, media reports are unforgiving of United and of Solskjaer. BBC characterized the club's showing in the ongoing season as a showcase of mediocrity.
"It is Manchester United's worst start to a season for 30 years," the report added.
It might be of help that United will be afforded a break and will return to a match likely refreshed on October 20 against Liverpool. Observers said the game will define the fate of United and more importantly that of Solskjaer.
"There is a very real fear from some inside the club that should Liverpool inflict a heavy defeat on United, the external reaction may create pressure they find too hard to resist. ... The alternate view is that Solskjaer is not up to the job and a defeat by Liverpool would merely confirm it," BBC said on the same report.
Firing Solskjaer, however, is not the most convenient answer to the problem. As pointed out by The Guardian, letting go of the team manager will mean that the higher-ups of United made the wrong call, and so they must go too.
Circumventing from such a painful remedy, United will likely let Solskjaer stay, at least for a little bit more while they entertain the hope that the Red Devils will soon get their acts together.
In the meantime, there is no harm in scouting for the replacement and on this former United youth player, Robbie Savage floated a solid recommendation. Writing for the Daily Mirror, Savage pointed to Brendan Rodgers as perfect to be the next manager for Manchester United.
"Brendan Rodgers is leading Leicester City back into the Champions League - and he is a future Manchester United manager," Savage said in singing praises to the former boss for Liverpool.
He clarified though that in pushing for United to consider Rodgers, he's calling for United to act quick and give Solskjaer the boot now.
"Don't get me wrong: When I say Rodgers is destined for high office at United, I am NOT saying Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be sacked. I am not in favor of football's hiring-and-firing culture, and Solskjaer deserves time," Savage stressed.
