Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on brink of exit

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Manchester United’s hierarchy were leaning towards replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Saturday night, although the final decision will be taken by Joel Glazer.

Club executives convened after one of the worst displays of the Norwegian’s time so far, a dismal 4-1 defeat at Watford.

The consensus was that the nature of the performance was unacceptable, and Solskjaer now fears he will not be in charge for the crucial Champions League game away to Villarreal on Tuesday.

The Independent has been told the 48-year-old was aware he was under renewed pressure ahead of the Watford game, as the United executives have been growing increasingly concerned about the mood of the players.

Most have long felt a change was required. Particular attention has also been paid to Cristiano Ronaldo’s feelings, and he has been increasingly anguished by the nature of displays.

Similar applies to Bruno Fernandes, who very publicly defended Solskjaer on the pitch following the 4-1 loss to Watford.

If it is confirmed Solskjaer is sacked, then Darren Fletcher is likely to step in as interim manager, with trips to Villarreal on Tuesday and Chelsea next Sunday.

Outgoing executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is said to be interested in Zinedine Zidane as a potential replacement but that is seen as almost impossible, with the French legend still cool on the idea of taking over at Old Trafford.

If that proves to be the case, United may instead accelerate plans to try and get Erik ten Hag from Ajax. Brendan Rodgers was not considered as a top target in the last few weeks, although circumstances may see events change. United have been impressed with his work at Leicester City and Celtic but he has always been seen as below other options.

The idea had been to try and wait on any major decision until the summer, but events may now have taken on a life of their own.

Many felt a landmark moment was Solskjaer being booed by United’s travelling support at Vicarage Road after the game.

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West Ham must use new resources wisely and well – David Moyes

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David Moyes hopes West Ham use the new investment coming into the club “wisely and well”.

Czech businessman Daniel Kretinsky, Sparta Prague’s owner, last week completed his purchase of a 27 per cent stake in the Hammers, who sit third in the Premier League

Hammers boss Moyes said at his press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wolves: “I hope the investment we’re able to use wisely and well.

“The club spent a fortune a few years ago and it didn’t work out right. So there’s got to be a way to think how is best to do this.

“Maybe investment in other things are more important – new seats in the stadium, bigger crowds, new things at the training ground maybe. I don’t know what way or where the new investment will directly come, but it’s always too easy just to say I’m guessing it will be for players.

“Maybe in the future it will be, but we’ve got to watch that we don’t go daft and do something which we regret.”

Moyes was asked if he had been told there was money available to spend in January, and he said: “I don’t really know the answer to that, because I’ve not really had a conversation about it.

“What I do know is I’m really well-supported at the moment. If I go and ask the club, that I need something or I’m looking for somebody, they’ll do everything they can to help me.

“But just to go back to the point – we just have to watch that we don’t think it means that there’s hundreds of millions to spend.

“The longer we can stay in this position, it gives me a better chance, going knocking on the door and asking for a wee bit more if we need it.”

Angelo Ogbonna looks set to miss the rest of the season, with the defender to undergo surgery after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the 3-2 win over Liverpool earlier this month.

And on potentially signing a defender in January, given Ogbonna’s situation, Moyes said: “It could be a priority depending on how we go. I might consider bringing somebody up from the under-23s, or I might think about playing somebody else there. But it could be something we have to look into.”

After Wolves West Ham are set to play Rapid Vienna away in the Europa League next Thursday.

They were hit with a ban on their fans attending the game, and fined, following crowd trouble when they played Genk away on November 4.

Moyes said: “I was really disappointed because I think our away support have been brilliant, in the Premier League, in Europe. We were really surprised and shocked to hear what happened.

“We want to be in Europe, and for people to look forward to West Ham coming to play.

“I see Premier League teams who are in Europe, in the Champions League, every year and I don’t hear (about) any trouble coming from their supporters. I want to be one of the clubs doing that every season, every few weeks, and we have to make sure we are a club people want to have, and we need the supporters to see that. We have to move on.”

Next Thursday’s match is set to be played behind closed doors after Austria announced a lockdown and UEFA confirmed the fixture was still planned to take place as scheduled.

West Ham’s sanction is not being transferred, with UEFA saying their fan suspension is to be served against Rapid regardless of any decision taken over home spectators.

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Weston McKennie to Tottenham, Serie A trio to Newcastle in transfer news

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The Premier League rumor mill picked up some fresh ingredients from Italy for Thursday’s transfer digest.

[ MORE: NBC Sports extends exclusive partnership with Premier League ]

Those ingredients were imported from the USMNT, Netherlands, Albania, and Croatia.

Let’s dig into them. A feast, if you will.

De Vrij to Newcastle, Everton, Tottenham

Stefan de Vrij is the big name of three Serie A players ticketed for Newcastle United as the club’s new ownership attempts to give Eddie Howe improved options at center back and center mid.

De Vrij could be joined by teammate Marcelo Brozovic, according to 90min, though it will be interesting to follow if some of these clubs aren’t offering players to the newly-rich Magpies at a serious premium.

Dutch center back De Vrij remains well-regarded and also on the list of his suitors are Everton and Tottenham, with both clubs’ managers knowing full well his capabilities.

The Magpies have also been linked with goalkeepers despite the return to health of star Martin Dubravka, and Inter has an option for Howe in Lazio’s Thomas Strakosha.

The 26-year-old Albanian has 17 caps and has been with Lazio since his academy days, but Pepe Reina is getting all the minutes in Rome this season.

More transfer news

Transfer news: Van de Beek, Henderson eye Manchester United exits Dani Alves returns to Barcelona in first business of Xavi era Report: USMNT forward Daryl Dike wanted by Serie A clubs

Weston McKennie to Tottenham Hotspur

Weston McKennie could trade Turin for London, according to Calcio Mercato, making him a direct rival to good friend Christian Pulisic at Chelsea.

The report says that Juventus is prepared to sell McKennie for between $34-39 million, and that Tottenham director Fabio Paratici and manager Antonio Conte would be happy to meet that price in January.

Juve is surprisingly also mentioned as a possible seller of Dejan Kulusevski, the playmaking Swede plenty electric but not quite hitting his heights early this season.

Story continues

USMNT man McKennie, 23, moved from Schalke to Juve for under $25 million in 2021 after a successful loan spell. He has two goals in 11 matches this season and has featured regularly for both Max Allegri and Andrea Pirlo.

But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing in Turin and Juve is always tipped to offload assets, the same mindset that fueled the jettison of Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester.

McKennie fills a need for Spurs and is the type of all-action midfielder that Conte can appreciate, and perhaps Tottenham has pieces that Juve would like in a deal. Paratici would know.

More MLS news

Bob Bradley, LAFC part ways, with dots connecting Bradley x2 in Toronto USMNT roster changes ahead of Jamaica trip; McKennie, Robinson depart Pep Guardiola loves NYC mini-pitch project, New York City

Follow @NicholasMendola

Weston McKennie to Tottenham, Serie A trio to Newcastle in transfer news originally appeared on NBCSports.com

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PST unfiltered– USMNT progress report; Gerrard to Villa; Premier League Week 12 preview

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ProSoccerTalk is back with another year of video content, alongside the written work you’ve come to know, for the 2021-22 Premier League season.

[ MORE: How to watch PL in the USA ]

Each week ProSoccerTalk writers Joe Prince-Wright, Andy Edwards, and Nick Mendola will analyze the Premier League action, preview the fixtures, and handle the big news from around the soccer world.

Expect opinions, analysis, and insight, as well as plenty of friendly banter along the way and maybe a beer or two among these Premier League videos…

Basically, they have these chats on their own anyway so we thought we would record them and let them loose on the Premier League, USMNT, and everything in-between. This is going to be a lot of fun and a lighthearted look at all of the action from across the soccer world each week.

[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]

With JPW based in England — heading to PL games and traveling to stadiums/training grounds — plus Andy and Nick based Stateside, we will be checking in with them regularly to get their views on just about anything when it comes to Pro Soccer. Because, well, ProSoccerTalk.

Below we break down the latest news across the Premier League and the United States men’s national team

More Premier League

West Ham vs Liverpool final score: Irons run Reds ragged Leeds vs Leicester City final score: Weary Foxes escape with point Everton vs Tottenham final score: Toffees hold Conte’s Spurs amid VAR...

What’s the status of the USMNT’s World Cup hopes after Mexico win, Jamaica?

World Cup qualifying: Portugal in trouble; Argentina bound for Qatar

What Steven Gerrard, Dean Smith, and Eddie Howe must do at new clubs Villa, Norwich, Newcastle

Arsenal surge into clash with wounded Liverpool

Matchweek 12 preview: Leicester vs Chelsea, Liverpool vs Arsenal, Man City vs Everton, Watford vs Man Utd

Latest USMNT news

Confident USMNT sees home wins, road draws as path to World Cup Remaining CONCACAF World Cup qualifying opponents Makeshift USMNT lucky to escape Jamaica with a point

Follow @NicholasMendola

VIDEO: PST unfiltered– USMNT progress report; Gerrard to Villa; Premier League Week 12 preview originally appeared on NBCSports.com

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Gareth Southgate promises England will not close their eyes to Qatar controversy

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Gareth Southgate has promised England will not close their eyes to the controversies surrounding Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup when they play there next year.

England formally confirmed their place at the tournament in 12 months with a 10-0 thrashing of San Marino in Serravalle on Monday.

Qatar has been heavily criticised by organisations such as Amnesty International over its human rights record in relation to the World Cup, particularly regarding the treatment of migrant workers.

Asked about the issues, manager Southgate said at his post-match press conference: “We have to go and work with people and represent the country in a foreign land and when you are doing that you have got to be 100 per cent sure of your facts.

“That’s not easy because it’s hard to work through what is current and what is historic. We have a responsibility to represent our country in the right way.

“There are clear cultural differences between the two nations. It is hugely complex but we will take the time to educate ourselves and if we feel there are areas we can highlight and help, we have always tried to do that and we will do that.”

England had all-but booked their place in Qatar but still needed to complete the job against winless minnows San Marino and Southgate was pleased with the ruthlessness shown.

He said: “We gave a performance that was enjoyable for the supporters that travelled, was clinical in the way we went about it, and then showed some exciting young players coming through.

“Of course we will have much tougher tests but I’ve been involved in nights like this with England that have been horrible, where the crowd were on our backs, where the whole environment was very different.

“It was nice to see young players going in and enjoying themselves and giving a good showing.

“I just like the fact we have got a mentality where we don’t take our foot off the gas and whatever the challenge I have set the players they have responded to it.”

Harry Kane’s four goals in the first half took his overall England tally to 48, level with Gary Lineker, one behind Sir Bobby Charlton and closing in on Wayne Rooney’s national record of 53.

Southgate believes the 28-year-old could go on to set a new benchmark that could last for many years.

He said: “I think that would definitely be one of his goals. The remarkable thing is we haven’t given him the opportunities with nights like this too often.

“Certainly the other three games of this magnitude in this group we didn’t give him the minutes.

“He understood that, of course. He has got huge personal ambitions as well as the team ones. He showed again the clinical nature and mentality he has got. There is no reason he can’t. It’s not ‘Is he going to break the record?’, it is when, and what might he do once he is beyond that point.”

England’s other goalscorers were Harry Maguire, Emile Smith Rowe, Tyrone Mings, Tammy Abraham and Bukayo Saka, while there was also an own goal.

San Marino head coach Franco Varrella was impressed by England and believes they are good enough to trouble the best in the world.

Varrella said: “I already considered England one of the four teams that could go to the final of the Euros and I was right.

“They have quality and speed in ball possession that can cause problems for any team, not just San Marino.

“I have said before that this England can score any time they pass the halfway line and I was right, unfortunately.”

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Celtic defender Anthony Ralston earns first Scotland call-up

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Anthony Ralston has won his first Scotland call-up.

The Scottish Football Association has confirmed the Celtic right-back has been added to the squad ahead of Monday’s World Cup qualifier against Denmark.

Ralston has made 23 appearances for Celtic this season after seizing his chance under Ange Postecoglou.

The 22-year-old comes in to the squad after Nathan Patterson picked up a suspension during Friday’s win over Moldova which sealed a play-off place.

Motherwell’s Stephen O’Donnell is the other right-back in the squad but he is among eight players who are one yellow card away from missing the play-off semi-final in March.

Scotland are looking to boost their chances of sealing a home semi-final when they host Group F winners Denmark.

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Mane injured as Senegal draw, Mali qualify for final round

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Liverpool star Sadio Mane suffered an injury that forced him to be substituted by Senegal 27 minutes into a World Cup qualifier against Togo that finished 1-1 on Thursday.

The 29-year-old forward fell awkwardly after colliding with a defender as he sought to head the ball and had to be replaced after sustaining a suspected rib or hip injury.

Senegal, who had already won Group H and reached the final elimination stage in Africa, snatched a point in Lome via an added-time goal from Habib Diallo after a Pape Cisse own goal put Togo ahead just before half-time.

A Senegalese official told AFP that Mane would return on Friday to Premier League title contenders Liverpool, whose next fixture is at home to Arsenal on November 20.

The Mane injury overshadowed the other seven matchday five qualifiers in which Mali became the third country to reach the third round after a 3-0 away win over 10-man Rwanda in Group E.

Rwanda had Djihad Bizimana red-carded after only eight minutes for a foul as the last defender and Mali took full advantage to net twice within a minute.

Southampton winger Moussa Djenepo struck a superb opener with a low shot from outside the box on 19 minutes and Ibrahima Kone then notched his fifth goal of the qualifying campaign.

Kalifa Coulibaly completed the rout on 88 minutes and victory gave Mali an unassailable four-point advantage over Uganda, who were surprisingly held 1-1 at home by Kenya.

- Kenya goalkeeper blunders -

Captain Michael Olunga gave Kenya a 61st-minute lead they retained until a blunder by goalkeeper Brian Bwire gifted Ugandan Fahad Bayo a late equaliser in Entebbe.

South Africa, the 2010 World Cup hosts, stretched their Group G lead to three points by edging Zimbabwe 1-0 in Johannesburg after rivals Ghana could only draw 1-1 with Ethiopia a few kilometres away in Soweto.

Story continues

A Teboho Mokoena header off a pin-point Keagan Dolly cross on 26 minutes gave unimpressive South Africa victory over their northern neighbours.

Forced to host the qualifier in Soweto because they do not have an international-standard stadium, Ethiopia fell behind on 22 minutes when Andre Ayew scored direct from a free-kick.

But in a match where both captains scored, Getaneh Kebede levelled on 72 minutes with a close-range shot past goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott.

Despite the setback, three-time World Cup qualifiers Ghana will overtake South Africa if they win a top-of-the-table clash in Cape Coast on Sunday.

The Democratic Republic of Congo triumphed 3-0 away to Tanzania in Group J to surge back into contention for first place.

They trail Benin by two points, but will enjoy home advantage when the sides clash in the final round on Sunday with the Congolese needing maximum points to progress.

Mali, Group I winners Morocco and Senegal have secured places in the final round, which will consist of five two-leg ties next March with the winners qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Victory for a Mohamed Salah-captained Egypt in Angola on Friday will give them an uncatchable lead in Group F, which also includes Libya and Gabon.

dl/gj

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World Cup qualifying: 5 talking points as Europe group stage draws to a close

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Europe’s race to qualify automatically for next year’s World Cup in Qatar enters the final stages over the next few days.

Here, we pick out the main talking points.

Italian job to do

Roberto Mancini’s Italy face a tense finale (PA Media)

(PA Media)

Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup for the first time in 60 years – and they have work to do to avoid a similar fate. Success at Euro 2020 and a world-record unbeaten run notwithstanding, Roberto Mancini’s men find themselves locked on 16 points with a Switzerland side who have lost only one of their last 36 World Cup qualifying matches. Friday’s meeting in Rome will go a long way to deciding who takes top spot in Group C and who will be forced into the play-offs.

Spain, the 2010 world champions, are another heavyweight on the ropes. Luis Enrique’s side sit second in Group B, two points behind leaders Sweden. On Thursday they visit Greece, who held them to a 1-1 draw in March, knowing failure to win would give the Swedes the chance to wrap up top spot with victory in Georgia. Otherwise the group will be decided when Spain host Sweden in Seville on Sunday.

Last-day drama elsewhere

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal have a showdown with Serbia (Isabel Infantes/PA)

(PA Wire)

In total eight more European teams will confirm their places in Qatar by Tuesday. There is a last-day decider on the cards in Group G, where Holland host a Norway side who trail them by two points with two matches to play, and another in Group A when Portugal host Serbia in Lisbon on Sunday. Belgium would win Group E by defeating Estonia in Brussels on Saturday, although an unlikely loss could set up a group decider in Wales.

Bale still making hay

Gareth Bale is set for a landmark appearance (Nick Potts/PA)

(PA Wire)

Talking of Wales, Gareth Bale is set for his 100th cap against Belarus on Saturday. The 32-year-old, fit after a hamstring injury, would become only the second man – after Chris Gunter – to reach a century of appearances for Wales. Rob Page’s side enter their final qualifiers third in Group E and are looking at the play-offs as their most realistic route to a first World Cup finals since 1958.

Aaron sweater for Pickford

Aaron Ramsdale has been in superb form for Arsenal (John Walton/PA)

(PA Wire)

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is still waiting to make his England debut, but over the past two months he has emerged as a serious contender to Jordan Pickford as the country’s number one. Ramsdale has been a revelation since joining the Gunners and he is yet to lose a game for his new club, conceding just four times in eight matches. His ‘save of the season’ from Leicester’s James Maddison will have no doubt caught England manager Gareth Southgate’s eye.

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Returning fans to play key part in Asian World Cup qualifying

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Home support could prove decisive in Asian World Cup qualifying Thursday when Australia play on their own patch for the first time in two years while a full house will roar on Son Heung-min's South Korea.

The coronavirus has played havoc with Asian qualifying for Qatar, forcing some teams to play home games overseas and some matches staged in front of limited crowds or empty stadiums.

Australia have been especially hard hit, playing 11 of their 12 qualifiers for next year's World Cup on the road.

It has not harmed them -- they won a record 11 games in a row until a 2-1 defeat in Japan blew qualifying Group B wide open last month.

The Socceroos are hoping that their fans can roar them to victory in Sydney in a key clash against Saudi Arabia, who top the group with a perfect 12 points from four matches.

Australia are second on nine points, ahead of Oman and Japan who are on six.

The top two in each of the two Asian groups automatically qualify for Qatar 2022.

Each side will play twice in the next week, as the final qualifying stage passes the halfway point.

"Our 12th man is the fans and we need a full stadium to get behind these boys who have committed a lot to Australian football," Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said.

"Our 12th man will get us across the line and I’m appealing to all the fans here in Australia to get to the stadium because it's going to be a fantastic night.

"The Socceroos are back in town and we can't wait."

Also in Group B, Japan travel to Vietnam knowing that they cannot afford any more slip-ups, having lost two of their four games.

Vietnam prop up the group and are yet to get points on the board.

China are just about still alive, with three points, but are unable to play home matches in the country because of China's strict coronavirus measures.

Li Tie's side play Oman on Thursday and Australia on Tuesday, both in the UAE.

Story continues

"We have been longing to play our upcoming games at home," the former Everton midfielder Li, now China's coach, told the state Xinhua news agency.

- Son's full house -

If Group B looks open, Group A is a little more clear-cut.

Iran, who travel to Lebanon and then play Syria in Amman, are top with 10 points from a maximum 12.

South Korea have failed to sparkle but are still second in Group A and unbeaten. In Tottenham Hotspur forward Son they also have a world-class talent.

They host the United Arab Emirates at Goyang Stadium and, with the country slowly opening up from the virus, a capacity crowd of 35,000 is expected.

It is the first time in nearly two years that Son's side will play a home international in front of a full stadium, with restrictions on spectators recently easing.

"I've talked to my teammates already about finally playing in front of fans," said Hwang Hee-chan, who has impressed since moving to Premier League Wolves on loan from RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

"We're all extra motivated to do well for them. We'll try to put on an entertaining show for our supporters," Yonhap News Agency quoted him as saying.

bur-pst/dh

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Manchester United’s indecision leaves them little choice but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

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In the executive boxes around Old Trafford, the exasperation remained, but so did the expectations. There is currently no feeling that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be moved on. The Norwegian himself is planning for the Watford game. If that is still the case by the end of the international break, the last for four months, the only question will be why.

It is by now obvious to virtually anyone this is done. Even if Solskjaer had been a successful coach, which he hasn’t been, it looks like the sort of situation where any effect has worn off and it is time for changes. All of the positives have gone.

United are just left with negatives, right down to the defensive approach against Manchester City. This squad badly need a new direction, as well as some electricity.

The view from sources close to the club and others within the game is that United’s executives are by now well aware of this. Some figures have even floated the idea of bringing in the former RB Leizpig manager Ralf Rangnick as an interim, and he does already have a relationship with the Old Trafford hierarchy. The German would be interested in any such role, but The Independent has been told that one issue is that he would also want some kind of football position afterwards.

That is where it gets complicated for United, and where the source of so much indecision lies. A series of sources repeat the same words, that United “have no plan B”. They just did not envisage it going this badly.

Solskjaer has been the “long-term plan”, worthy of patience and trust, even though it is by now clear that idea deserves neither. So, they have been scrambling to think of what next.

If United were to make a move, they would ideally have a top-class coach who could come straight in. None are currently available. The optimum current option is probably Mauricio Pochettino or Erik Ten Hag in the summer. Some in the game think they should go and do what they would do with a player and commit what it takes to extract Ten Hag from Ajax now, but numerous sources say he would not leave mid-season. Even Tottenham Hotspur felt they only had a limited window to get him earlier this year, due to his respect for the Dutch champions. Ten Hag did not want to leave them in the lurch. United might meanwhile have had reservations about Antonio Conte that they see as entirely justifiable, but the wider problem is that he is just the latest elite manager to pass them by.

The lack of football expertise has left them in a situation where all of their main rivals as well as Tottenham Hotspur have the finest coaches in the game – maybe the best four in football right now – and United have a figure who can’t even be described as a novice any more. He’s a 48-year-old manager who has won nothing at the top level of the modern game, and that doesn’t look like changing.

The initial appointment of Solskjaer may well prove one of those juncture moments for a club, but not in the manner thought. Had United pressed on with a director of football in the way they wanted to at the end of Jose Mourinho’s time, they may well have had a more defined ideology in place, as well a greater awareness of what they need – not to mention the realisation that Solskjaer wasn’t up to it long ago. But the Norwegian’s surge at the start disrupted all of that. United were all too quick to entrust him with a more old-fashioned manager’s broad responsibilities, meaning figures like John Murtough, the club’s first football director, do not have that holistic role of many of their peers. A fair question is whether Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher will be responsible for football decisions like appointing the next manager, or will that go to Joel Glazer and the executive hierarchy?

The great frustration for United should be that they could still win something this season – perhaps even the Champions League – with the right interim coach. It would be wrong to even say stranger things have happened. It has actually been quite normalised in Europe’s premier competition. Three of the last six Champions League winners were mid-season appointments who were supposed to be short-term solutions: Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea), Hansi Flick (Bayern Munich) and Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid). Before that, of course, there was the original Solskjaer figure: Roberto Di Matteo, in charge of Chelsea in 2012.

Bernardo Silva scores Manchester City’s second goal in the derby

(PA Wire)

This is why the Rangnick situation is so tantalising, but also instructive. The view from those close to the squad is that United are a team so bereft of basic coaching and structure that anyone offering such management at all would have an immediate impact. As the figure responsible for instigating Germany’s coaching revolution, Rangnick might be ideal for this. He is possibly the best available.

The problem is that promising a future director role in order to get Rangnick, who is currently head of sports and development at Lokomotiv Moscow, may complicate the appointment of the next big manager. Mauricio Pochettino, as an example, would not be that interested in working under the German.

Many around United now believe that the ideal situation, to use that phrase loosely, is Solskjaer or some workable interim steadying the situation, until the next big decision can be made for the summer. It’s just there aren’t that many suitable interim choices currently available, either. It is admittedly a strange job: a short-term stabilisation of a big club.

Zidane has no interest at the moment. After that, who is there? Laurent Blanc? Carlos Quieroz? Someone in the international game? There is no obvious solution, but Solskjaer remains an obvious problem.

It’s impossible not to feel like the cycle will continue, and keep going around, maybe even with a win against Watford in two weeks’ time. This is the purgatory United now find themselves in, Solskjaer endlessly rolling the rock up the hill only to see it roll back down.

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