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Manchester United's season has taken a turn for the worse and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's job as the club's manager is under the scanner. The Norwegian has entered his third full season with the club and nothing short of a trophy will suffice this term.
Their recent form, especially, is a huge cause for worry. They have lost three of their last four Premier League encounters, languishing in seventh in the league table. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men are now eight points behind league leaders Chelsea after their 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Manchester United board want to be patient with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
The signs look ominous for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but the Manchester United board have, so far, shown faith in him. And it seems that the Norwegian still has a few more matches in his kitty before the board decides to pull the plug.
But to avoid the sacking, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would need Manchester United players to step up. Here are five players who need to be at their best to help the former Manchester United striker save his job as manager of the club:
#5 Harry Maguire
The Manchester United captain has been a shadow of himself in the ongoing season. He has been error prone, caught out of position and has lost possession far too easily.
One of his errors has led to Manchester United conceding a goal in the Premier League. He has lost possession 8.4 times per league match on average. The club have struggled as a result. United have conceded 15 goals in the league already. Only four sides have conceded more.
But over the last two seasons, Maguire has proved his importance for Manchester United. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs him now more than ever to step up and help him avoid the sack.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo started his second stint with Manchester United in fine fashion, but his form has taken a slight hit with the team's recent struggles. After scoring in his first two Premier League matches this season, he hasn't scored in the last four.
There have been calls to use Edinson Cavani ahead of the Portuguese, but it is unlikely that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will do it, especially with his job under the scanner.
In nine appearances for the club across all competitions this season, the 36-year-old has scored six goals, chipping in with last-gasp winners as well. Though Ronaldo is no longer as impactful as before, he is still one of the most feared attackers around.
The Norwegian is expected to continue putting trust in Ronaldo to start as a No. 9 for the club. He will hope that Ronaldo finds form in the Premier League soon and helps him avoid the sack.
#3 Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford missed the first half of Manchester United's season as he was recovering from a shoulder injury. But has picked up form soon after returning to the fold. He scored in his first match back from injury: in the 4-2 defeat to Leicester. The England international followed that up with another goal in a 3-2 win over Atalanta in the Champions League.
Though he fired a blank against Liverpool, as did the rest of the team, Rashford's return has been one of the few positives for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The 23-year-old has scored over 20 goals in each of the last two seasons, and the Norwegian will hope that Rashford recaptures some of that form.
Rashford will continue to start on the left flank as Manchester United try to get their season back on track. United have a few important match-ups coming up.
They will first face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League before squaring off against Atalanta in the Champions League and then welcoming Manchester City to Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will undoubtedly hope Rashford can be at his best for Manchester United during this testing run of fixtures.
#2 Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has by far been Manchester United's best player since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon in the 2020 January transfer window. In 91 appearances for the club across competitions, he has scored 44 and assisted 31 goals.
Fernandes has scored four league goals this season, but three of them came in the opening weekend encounter against Leeds. He scored another in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United in September but goals have dried up since.
Like Ronaldo, Bruno's league form has taken a dip with Manchester United's struggles. The 27-year-old's return to form will go a long way in helping Ole Gunnar Solskjaer save his job.
#1 David De Gea
After a sub-par last season, one that ended with David De Gea missing the final penalty in the Europa League final against Villarreal, the Spaniard has stepped up. In fact, he has probably been Manchester United's best player so far.
Although Manchester United have conceded 15 league goals already, they have De Gea to thank that the number hasn't crossed 20. He has made 28 saves so far, the fourth highest in the league. De Gea has also saved a penalty this season.
With United's backline struggling in Raphael Varane's absence and Maguire's poor form, De Gea's performances are crucial for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
