As it stands, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to be Manchester United’s manager for the club’s next Premier League game with Watford.
Having clung to his job after defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City, a loss at Vicarage Road might be the final straw.
A defeat to the newly promoted Hornets could be a tipping point, and Solskjaer could be haunted by a familiar face.
Josh King leads the line for Watford
Watford are led by former Manchester United trainee Josh King, who has a strong record against the club.
Solskjaer knows King from his time coaching him in United’s reserves more than a decade ago, and he has always kept a close eye on his fellow Norwegian.
The Sun reported how in December 2018, shortly after taking interim charge, Solskjaer identified Josh King as his first potential signing.
Ultimately United chose not to back Solskjaer in the 2019 January transfer window and no deal was done.
A year later United made a move, amid a late scramble on transfer deadline day in January 2020.
Sky Sports reported United’s £20 million offer was rejected by Bournemouth, prompting the club to walk away and move for Odion Ighalo on loan instead.
The Athletic reported King felt messed about by United, having expected the club to return with an improved offer.
He ended up moving to Everton on loan a year later. He then joined Watford as a free agent in the summer.
King has strong record against United
Solskjaer discovered this first hand when Josh King scored the winner to earn Bournemouth a 2-1 home win over United in 2019. This was not the first time.
King has scored four goals and provided one assist in 10 games against United.
He also netted a winner against United in a win in 2015/16, and scored an equaliser in a 1-1 draw the following season.
Last season he came off the bench for Everton as they fought back to claim a late 3-3 draw at Old Trafford.
King showed his penchant for scoring against his former teams when he bagged a hat-trick for Watford against Everton just last month.
A bitter goodbye?
Solskjaer promised his side would come out like a ‘hurt animal’ against Watford after the City defeat.
A defeat to Watford would be a devastating blow for United and potentially the final straw for Solskjaer.
It would be the cruelest fate for Josh King, a player he managed, knows well, and reportedly tried to sign twice, to score the goals to condemn his fate.
Given King’s impressive record against United, it would seem somewhat inevitable if it happens and he is the one to bring down the curtain on Solskjaer’s reign.
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