Paul Merson offers opinion why Manchester United still won’t sack Solskjaer now

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be out of a job right now. Manchester United’s form hit a new low against Watford on Saturday.

A woeful 4-1 defeat ought to prompt United to act and sack the Norwegian.

So will Manchester United finally wield the axe and get rid of Solskjaer?

So far, there is no action. Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson believes this is because the team are still top of the Champions League group.

Merson told Sky Sports News (20/11 5.50pm): “They have got a big Villarreal game in midweek. Can you go to Villarreal with no one? I don’t think you can.

“I think that’s what they are holding onto now, the Champions League.”

Champions League precarious too

United had a chance to act during the international break, and clearly there is no obvious plan with regard to Solskjaer’s successor.

This leaves little time for United to make a change before flying to Spain for the Villarreal tie on Tuesday.

Solskjaer’s coaching staff are so closely tied to him, you would not trust them stepping in for him either.

United may be on course to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League, but this could change with a defeat to Villarreal.

With the team losing 4-1 away to Watford, Villarreal looks a tough ask suddenly.

A draw would keep United on track to qualify, and while we could still go through with a loss in Spain, it would be dependent on other results in the final round of matches.

In 2018 simply qualifying for the knockout rounds was not enough to save Jose Mourinho from being fired.

United have left little logistical time before the Villarreal game to make a change, but that does not detract from the notion that this switch needs to happen quickly.

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