Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s on borrowed time at Man United if next term starts slow

When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was not given the Manchester United job on a permanent basis after masterminding a brilliant victory over Paris Saint-Germain, it felt like the club were yet to be convinced that he was the right man.

Solskjaer had been the perfect stop-gap, restoring confidence to a group of poorly performing players and firing them back into contention for Champions League qualification.

I argued in this column that, should United fail to finish in the top four, there would be serious question marks over whether Solskjaer could challenge Manchester City or Liverpool next season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be on borrowed time if Manchester United start next season slowly

Despite defeats by Arsenal and Wolves, he was given the job in March. That blip has become a slump, sparking a run of two wins in 11 games.

Now, United are back where they started when Solskjaer took over — in sixth place. The dismal form has exposed the extent of the rebuilding task ahead.

This will be no quick fix. I went through something similar at Liverpool in the Nineties when so many mistakes were made to try to restore the club to their former glories. They are still 29 years without a league championship.

Paul Pogba’s future is top of the agenda. In recent months it has looked like Pogba’s head has been turned. Solskjaer must decide if he wants to keep him.

Some £744million has been splashed out on a group of Harlem Globetrotters who do not play like a team. The dressing room is overrun by egos and is in need of an overhaul.

Throwing more money at the situation will not solve this. United need players they can build a team around, not mercenaries chasing big contracts.

These are all big decisions to make for someone who, having managed Molde and Cardiff, has little experience at the helm of a top club.

Solskjaer must decide whether he wants to keep midfielder Paul Pogba this summer

Solskjaer must decide whether he wants to keep midfielder Paul Pogba this summer

I do not for one minute want Solskjaer to fail but already it feels like the scale of the job could be too big for him.

We do not know if United tried to lure Mauricio Pochettino from Tottenham but executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward must be wondering if he has made a mistake.

Solskjaer has been entrusted with one of the biggest brands in world sport. It is now six years and counting since United last won the Premier League title.

Regardless of the size of the task at hand, he will be under immense pressure should United be several points off the pace and languishing in sixth place again come October.

That scenario would present Woodward and the United board with an unthinkable decision. The last thing they will want to do is to sack a club legend who is adored by the fans.

United are limping into next season. Should they start slowly, Solskjaer will be on borrowed time.

There was one moment during Liverpool’s victory over Newcastle that captured the impact Virgil van Dijk has had on Jurgen Klopp’s team. 

With Xherdan Shaqiri and Trent Alexander-Arnold standing over a free-kick, Van Dijk urged the Swiss midfielder to take it. The result? Shaqiri crossed for Divock Origi to head in the winner that keeps Liverpool’s title bid alive.

Some argued that it would take more than one player to sort out Liverpool’s defence. Not only has Van Dijk done that but he has completely transformed this team. He is a leader, an organiser and a calming presence rolled into one.

I cannot think of another player who has had a greater impact on a Premier League team.

Virgil van Dijk has had a massive impact on title-chasers Liverpool since his arrival

Virgil van Dijk has had a massive impact on title-chasers Liverpool since his arrival

TEEN KEEPER COULD SAVE BOURNEMOUTH MILLIONS 

I was with Bournemouth club captain Simon Francis when their team to face Tottenham was announced, which included goalkeeper Mark Travers.

It may have been the 19-year-old’s debut but Francis had complete confidence in him. This is a player who ticks every box for Eddie Howe — a good shot-stopper who can play out from the back.

He backed up his captain’s praise with an amazing first-half performance. He showed incredible composure when Lucas Moura was put through one-on-one. Travers kept his cool and forced Moura to make a decision.

After that performance, Howe should have every confidence that this young man can be part of his first-team squad next season.

He certainly doesn’t need to buy another goalkeeper this summer. Travers may well have saved his club £30million.

Eddie Howe should have every confidence that Mark Travers can be a part of first-team squad

Eddie Howe should have every confidence that Mark Travers can be a part of first-team squad

What represents a better season: getting in the top four but not winning a trophy or finishing fifth and winning the Europa League?

Both outcomes deliver the same result — Champions League football next season — but the second scenario brings with it silverware.

Should Tottenham be knocked out of Europe by Ajax on Wednesday and Arsenal win the Europa League, I know which camp I would rather be in.

Arsenal have conceded 50 goals for the second season running but the solution to their leaky defence was staring them in the face on Sunday. Brighton’s Lewis Dunk defended like a warrior and would be an upgrade on any of the centre halves at the Emirates. He may not be the most easy on the eye but he just loves the art of defending. He is exactly what this Arsenal team needs.

Arsenal's leaky defence has conceded 50 goals for the second season running

Arsenal’s leaky defence has conceded 50 goals for the second season running 

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