Redknapp says Solskjaer could be fighting for his United job if he doesn’t spark upturn in form

Jamie Redknapp believes Manchester United will endure more misery next season and that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s job as manager could become uncertain.

United were held to a 1-1 draw by already relegated Huddersfield on Sunday, eliminating their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

And as the early optimism of Solskjaer’s tenure all but fades, Redknapp predicted that the United boss will come under immense scrutiny if he doesn’t make a strong start next season. 

Redknapp said: ‘At times it was shambolic really watching them (against Huddersfield). In the last six, seven, eight games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer there have been a lot of question marks. 

‘We all looked at Jose Mourinho and thought he was the problem. I had no doubts they had to move on from him [Jose Mourinho]. You could see that he was damaging the club to a certain extent. Maybe they need to buy some players well if we can accumulate more players in the summer that’s the way forward. 

‘As soon as Sir Alex Ferguson left they have spent £744million. What they’ve done is they have tried to buy the Harlem Globetrotters of football. They are buying players without building a structure of a team. 

‘If you look at what Manchester City and Liverpool have done in that time, they bought players without an ego. It’s alright saying you could sell Paul Pogba, that could be the answer. It’s not going to be the answer. There is so much more wrong with that club. 

United’s draw against Huddersfield means they cannot qualify for the Champions League

Scott McTominay scored for United but Isaac Mbenza cancelled it out in the second half

‘We all like Solskjaer’s but he’s managed Molde, he’s managed Cardiff. You want someone to know the market to bring the best out of them. You’re competing against Guardiola, Pochettino, Klopp. It’s going to be a big season for him. 

‘My fear for United is if they don’t start next season well he’s going to come under enormous pressure. Then you may have to sack him. That for me is what will happen next season. 

‘I think they have got themselves in such a mess. When he took over everyone thought he was a great stopgap but since then it’s been shown there are a lot of problems with the players. I feel they have a major problem with buying players. I can only see more problems for them next season.

Redknapp questioned whether Solskjaer has the experience to compete with United’s rivals 

‘You need to move with the times. They are so far behind the times. They have tried Jose, Moyes, Van Gaal and it hasn’t really worked. I think they need to take a good look at themselves. 

‘There will be a lot of pain to come for United. It’s taken Liverpool 29 years, this is the closest they’ve come. It feels exactly what was happening at Liverpool. It wasn’t they weren’t trying. It’s just confidence was so low. 

‘I look at the United players and I fear for them. They’re in a bit of a mess.’

United’s season ends at Old Trafford next week when they play against Cardiff.