Phil Neville gives his backing to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer despite Man United’s ‘sickening’ 5-0 loss to Liverpool as under-fire boss is given time to turn things around at Old Trafford
Phil Neville has backed his old team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to turn things around at Manchester United in the wake of Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool.
Solskjaer has been granted a stay of execution after fears he would be sacked in the wake of the humiliating result at Old Trafford.
United head to Tottenham on Saturday for what is now a must-win match with Solskjaer and his methods under greater scrutiny than ever.
Under-pressure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (right) has received the support of his former Manchester United team-mate Phil Neville (left) as he fights to save his job
![Solskjaer is feeling the strain after Sunday's humiliating 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/27/06/49653053-10135045-image-a-3_1635312298237.jpg)
Solskjaer is feeling the strain after Sunday’s humiliating 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool
But he received support from Inter Miami coach Neville, who played alongside him at United between 1996 and 2005.
‘I’ve played on United teams that lost 5-0,’ he told the Miami Herald.
‘These things happen in football. I think the sensationalism of everything now is just out of control.
‘United lost a game of football 5-0 to Liverpool. Yes, it hurt. Yes, it was probably a real sickening blow for everybody that’s ever played, supported or been involved with Manchester United – but it’s as if United have never lost 5-0 ever in their history.
‘This has happened and United bounced back and won things. I lost at St James’ Park 5-0. Philippe Albert chipped Peter Schmeichel and it felt no different.
‘The only difference was there was not a billion people on Twitter thinking they knew best about this, that and the other.’
![Neville is under pressure himself as Inter Miami struggle in their bid to reach the MLS play-offs](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/27/06/49686857-10135045-Neville_is_under_pressure_himself_as_Inter_Miami_struggle_in_the-a-6_1635312371856.jpg)
Neville is under pressure himself as Inter Miami struggle in their bid to reach the MLS play-offs
![Neville pointed out that Man United have lost 5-0 before - including to Newcastle in 1996](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/27/06/49612675-10135045-image-a-7_1635312423282.jpg)
Neville pointed out that Man United have lost 5-0 before – including to Newcastle in 1996
![United were also on the receiving end of a 5-0 drubbing by Chelsea back in 1999](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/27/06/49612673-10135045-image-a-9_1635312445738.jpg)
United were also on the receiving end of a 5-0 drubbing by Chelsea back in 1999
Neville didn’t play in his cited 5-0 defeat to Newcastle United in October 1996 but he was involved when Alex Ferguson’s team went down 6-3 at Southampton a week later.
He also played in United’s midfield when they lost 5-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in October 1999.
Neville is coach of MLS side Inter Miami, owned by his former team-mate David Beckham, and they face an uphill struggle to reach the play-offs as they head to Atlanta on Wednesday night.
Solskjaer has been spared the sack for now but United are planning to review the 48-year-old’s position in December. He was given a new three-year contract over the summer.
The Norwegian received high-profile backing from legendary manager Ferguson when he visited the training ground on Tuesday.