Gareth Southgate Emerges as Leading Candidate Should Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Face Man Utd Sack

​Gareth Southgate is the leading contender to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United, should performances fail to improve and the Norwegian get the sack at Old Trafford.

Since taking the reins permanently, Solskjaer has suffered more league defeats than losses as the club's manager and is currently guiding the Red Devils on their worst start to a season in over 30 years.

The criticism directed Solskjaer's way has reached boiling point, with hopes of a top four finish in the ​Premier League fading and the club now only four points ahead of 14th place Newcastle in the top flight table.

Nevertheless, rather than pull the trigger, the Old Trafford hierarchy are ​determined to stick with the man they handed a three-year contract to ten months ago and are fully aware the project at hand is a work in progress.


However, according to the ​Mail, if results and performances continue to falter and the club slip further down the table, ​United will consider giving their former player the sack.


Ahead of the options available - most notably Mauricio Pochettino - it is England boss Southgate who the club would prefer to instil, although an interest in Pochettino remains. This is a move that could only take place after the Three Lions compete in this summer's European Championships.

Large sections of fans at Old Trafford made their displeasure known at the current state of affairs during the recent 2-0 defeat against Burnley. Chants against the club's owners and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward were audible, with many fans fearing for the long-term future of the club.

That said, United are still backing their under-fire boss to turn things around in spite of the fan discontent, although their hand is being weakened by the supporters' backlash. What is clear is that Southgate emerging as the leading candidate to take the hot-seat would indicate that the club are still keen to retain their current philosophy. 

So far, the Red Devils have backed Solskjaer significantly in the ​transfer market, with a view to signing young, British talent who can be nurtured into future stars. Signings like Harry Maguire have failed to live up to their billing so far, but there is a feeling inside the club that Southgate - who employs a similar tactic of giving youth a chance - could oversee an upturn in fortunes.

Gareth Southgate

As said, senior figures at Old Trafford are fully behind Solskjaer, but those sentiments could be put to the test with an FA Cup tie against Tranmere and a Carabao Cup semi final second leg against Manchester City coming up in a crucial run of fixtures.

The link between Southgate and United has cropped up before, though The Sun's reporting of the story in ​December left a little to be desired.


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Source : 90min