Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could have a ‘problem’ after Carabao Cup defeat, says Gary Neville
Manchester United could have a potential ‘problem’ on their hands should Ole Gunnar Solskjaer not win a trophy again this season, says club legend Gary Neville.
United lost another semi-final on Wednesday night as they lost 2-0 at home to rivals Manchester City in the last-four of the Carabao Cup. City will go on to play Tottenham in the final in April.
After reaching the semis of the League Cup, FA Cup and Europa League last season too but no further, Neville is concerned that his ex-team-mate Solskjaer could be under pressure once again, should they lose to title rivals Liverpool in the Premier League next week.
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be under pressure again soon, says Gary Neville
United slumped to another semi-final defeat at the hands of Manchester City on Wednesday
‘I said before tonight that I felt there was more expectation on this game for me as a Man United fan than there will be a week on Sunday against Liverpool at Anfield,’ Neville told Sky Sports.
‘No one this season expected Man United to challenge for the league title, but I think there was a feeling: win a trophy.
‘Ole, at the end of this season, will have been there two-and-a-half years, and to go two-and-a-half years without a trophy, it will start to bring a pressure, because it helps you on your way.’
Neville referred to the starts Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola made at Liverpool and Manchester City respectively and compared their situations to Solskjaer’s.
Klopp lost three finals as Reds boss before winning his first trophy in his fourth season in charge, the 2019 Champions League, while Guardiola won the 2018 Carabao Cup in his second season at the Etihad – Neville also referenced Jose Mourinho’s collection of trophies at various clubs.
City were deserved winners on Wednesday night as United’s semi-final hoodoo continued
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola with their first trophies at Liverpool and Man City respectively
‘Jurgen Klopp needed a trophy and eventually got the Champions League. Pep Guardiola won the League Cup, Jose Mourinho at various clubs has won the League Cup just to get them going,’ Neville continued. ‘He needed something and they were so close to a final with this game and in good form.
‘It does pose a problem. I wouldn’t say, sat here as a Man United fan, it causes me a great problem that in any way shape or form I’m looking at the manager’s job at any point, but it will bring pressure down the line.
‘Because if they go to Anfield and lose, people will then say “glass half empty” again. It can turn like that.’
United have not won silverware since Solskjaer took over at the club in December 2018.
Man United concluded last season with defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League semi-finals
The Norwegian’s hunt for his first trophy at Old Trafford took another crushing blow, yet again in the latter stages of a competition on Wednesday night.
His side have previously lost in the semi-finals of the FA Cup to Chelsea last year and the Europa League to Sevilla, as well as the semis of the Carabao Cup to City, again.
United’s last major trophy came in Jose Mourinho’s first season in charge, when they won the 2017 Europa League – they also won the EFL Cup in the same season.
