Former Arsenal player turned pundit Paul Merson has hammered Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following the Red Devils’ recent defeat against Villarreal.
Before the final contest, Solksjaer and his team were heavy favourites to win the trophy. But somehow the decisions by the players and the manager has made a mockery of the match. In any case, regardless of naming a solid starting 11, United staggered their way through 120 minutes of low-quality football just to be beaten on penalties by a considerably more merciless Villarreal side.
Goalkeeper David de Gea had a night to forget as he failed to stop even a single spot-kick in an incredible 11 penalties and afterwards missed his own spot-kick which gifted the Spanish side their first-ever European trophy.
Solksjaer was heavily criticized for not making bold decisions in the match and as fans were quite disappointed with the result, United had other plans. They are set to offer a new contract to their manager.
Nonetheless, in spite of the new reports that Solskjaer could in any case be given a new contract, Merson feels the ex-striker, turned manager, has failed to be brave and wants to be in everyone’s good books.
While talking to SkySports, Paul Merson said: “Solskjaer has taken Manchester United as far as he can. I thought he was totally outwitted by Unai Emery in the Europa League final. Villarreal is not a great team, but he got out-coached. Arsenal got absolutely slaughtered for playing exactly the same way as United did against them. They were poor. You thought Solskjaer would change it. They had no pace up front, so what does he do? He puts Fred on! Marcus Rashford was having the worst game of his life. You have to see that as a manager. You have to accept it and take the guy off. And you have a goalkeeper who hasn’t saved a penalty in five years and never looked like saving one in the shoot-out. Take him off! It’s too NICE for me. Ole is everyone’s mate. He’s not ruthless enough. He probably didn’t want to upset people by making those subs.”
Solksjaer was not so powerful with his decisions and the most notable one was clearly seen against Villarreal. If it was any other manager then, he would have certainly subbed many of them by half-time. He needs to learn from this.
