Opinion: Should Solskjaer be judged only after he clears the deadwood at Manchester United?

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is under severe pressure at Old Trafford after a run of poor results and performances at the start of the 2019-20 season.

The fans of the club have not yet turned on Solskjaer, with many blaming the board and Ed Woodward, but it’s only a matter of time before the boos ring out at Old Trafford, if the team continue their dire run of form.

Solskjaer has had one transfer window so far in his reign as Manchester United manager, where he signed two defenders – Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, as well as an exciting winger in Daniel James.

The Norwegian also let go of two attackers – Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, but did not replace either of the players. He also did not bring in a central midfielder following the departures of Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera.

The transfer business done by United in the summer transfer window was not well thought out and seemed like there was a lack of planning as well from Solskjaer and the people involved in the transfers at the club. And the poor transfer strategy has resulted in the club struggling in the Premier League and Europa League, as the side have been toothless and lacked creativity.

So, should Solskjaer be given time and judged after a few transfer windows? Yes and no. If United continue to struggle and end up in a relegation battle, Solskjaer must leave and a manager who has prior experience in dealing with such situations should be brought in.

There are very few top managers who would want to take up the job mid-season and when the club are struggling as much as United are.

United could perhaps bring a temporary manager, as they did with Solskjaer last year, to change the mood in the dressing room. But, if Solskjaer turns things around and has a string of good results post the international break and helps United climb up the table, it would perhaps make sense to give him two more transfer windows to turn things around at the club.

Solskjaer has been ruthless in transferring players who don’t fit his style of play or don’t want to be at the club, but there are quite a few more players who have overstayed their welcome at Old Trafford and should not have a future at the club. The manager should be given a sizeable transfer budget by the United board in the next two transfer to help change fortunes of the club.