Shearer Warns Manchester United Against Reappointing Solskjaer Amidst Ongoing Challenges

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer departed Manchester United at the conclusion of the 2020/21 season after successfully steering the club to two top-four finishes and a Europa League final. Following his exit, he took up a managerial role at Besiktas but is now available and reportedly eager to return to Old Trafford. Reports indicate that discussions between Solskjaer and the club are slated for Saturday.

In light of Ruben Amorim’s recent departure, United is contemplating an interim manager, with Michael Carrick, the former Middlesbrough boss, also being mentioned as a potential candidate.

However, Alan Shearer has cautioned the club against reverting to past leadership, asserting that the myriad of problems at United cannot simply be rectified by bringing Solskjaer back. He advocates for a careful approach, suggesting that the club might be better off appointing a new manager after the conclusion of the World Cup, depending on available options.

Speaking to Betfair, Shearer remarked, “I was not surprised at all by Amorim’s dismissal. His outburst following the Leeds match left the club with no choice. Publicly criticizing your superior always has consequences, and once he did that, it was only a matter of time before he was let go. He was aware of the situation and seemed to aim to take others down with him.

“Reappointing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be a peculiar decision. While I can understand the interim appointments of Darren Fletcher or Michael Carrick, reverting to a manager who has already been dismissed seems illogical. Ole has a rich history with the club and performed admirably in an interim capacity, but he was let go for valid reasons.

“If the interim manager performs well, the club must be cautious not to fall into the same trap. With prominent managers likely to be available this summer, such as Thomas Tuchel or Carlo Ancelotti depending on national team outcomes, United should seek a strong character capable of leading the club forward.

“It’s no coincidence that top clubs like Villa, City, and Arsenal thrive under their managers’ leadership. They have directors of football, but their operations are integrated. A similar structure must be established at Manchester United to achieve their aspirations.”

Currently, United sits seventh in the Premier League, only three points shy of the top four. However, Shearer is skeptical about any significant turnaround in their fortunes

He stated, “I’m uncertain if things will improve significantly at Manchester United. While returning players from AFCON and recovering from injuries might provide some boost, I still view them as a seventh or eighth-place team with limited potential for advancement. I’ve maintained this perspective throughout the season. Fletcher is not a magician; he cannot simply transform the team’s performance overnight. It will require considerable time to re-establish themselves in the top four.

“The players, the manager, and the decision-makers at Old Trafford should collectively bear responsibility for Amorim’s departure. They evaluated his capabilities and systems, ultimately leading to a poor decision. This is a systemic failure rather than an issue stemming from one individual or group.

“While it’s true that players have not capitalized on opportunities and the manager has underperformed, the decision-makers bear scrutiny as well: from hiring and dismissing Dan Ashworth to bringing in Amorim prematurely. There are numerous issues plaguing the club, which is why immediate change is unlikely.

“I understand the rationale behind waiting until season’s end to select a permanent manager; there could be more prestigious options available then, which is a prudent strategy.

United’s next challenge is against Brighton in the third round of the FA Cup this weekend, with Darren Fletcher once again taking the helm, following his oversight during a recent 2-2 draw with Burnley, while the club continues discussions with Solskjaer.