Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first game as Manchester United manager came against former club, Cardiff City, and according to Paul Merson, Solskjaer’s final game as United manager could well come against the same side.
United host Cardiff in their final game of the season on Sunday and Paul Merson believe that Solskjaer’s future may be in jeopardy with a defeat to the Bluebirds.
While supporters were crying out for United to appoint Solskjaer on a permanent basis after the Norwegian’s incredible start to life in the Old Trafford dugout, the wheels have come off in recent months and the Red Devils have failed to secure Champions League football next season.
“Nothing surprises me in football, if they lost to Cardiff who knows what would happen,” Merson told Sky Sports. “I wouldn’t know. I don’t see Solskjaer being on a Mourinho contract, where you’d have to pay £15m to get him out of it – I think there’ll be serious meetings if they don’t win this game.
“You’d have to seriously think if they’re not wiping the floor with Cardiff, they’ve made a mistake with Solskjaer. If he’d had this run at the start, would he be permanent manager now? No, he wouldn’t.”
Recruitment will be key for United this summer and several additions will be required if United are to fight for a top-four finish next term.
Given how far United seem to be behind the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool, Merson wonders how easy Solskjaer will find it to convince players to join his project.
“Everyone needs top players – Bayern Munich need top players, Real Madrid need top players, and everyone else will too,” Merson said.
“I don’t see how you go to Manchester United. If you’re a £90m player and United come in for you, and other teams come in for you, you have to weigh it up. How far are we behind these other teams? It’s a long way. It’s not one or two players.”
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