Paul Merson has issued a warning to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Manchester United trail 3-1 to Pep Guardiola’s side after an awful first leg performance where they were taught a lesson by a far superior City team.
And Solskjaer now has the seemingly insurmountable task of clawing back the two-goal deficit at the Etihad.
Sky Sports pundit Merson credited United for overcoming Tranmere in the FA Cup with such ease, but thinks City could turn on the style at the Etihad.
READ MORE: Report: Man Utd told they will have to pay £4m for Islam Slimani loan transfer
“Every fixture is a big one when you’re Manchester United – but especially in the position they’re in,” Merson said, as quoted by Manchester Evening News.
“It was a massive pressure game against Tranmere. Of course they’re expected to beat them but you just never know. They did a professional job. Fair play, lads.
“Now they go to one of the best club teams in the world and if it goes wrong, they could be on the end of four or five. Man City did them a favour in the first leg. They’re the only team I know who, when they’ve got you down, they keep you down.
“I worry for Solskjaer. I think he’s a sitting duck. I say that because I’m thinking about the Bruno Fernandes deal and what the people upstairs might be thinking.Every fixture is a big one when you’re Manchester United – but especially in the position they’re in.”
Solskjaer should not be judged on the City tie alone and it’s shameful that he has not been backed in this transfer window.
The United boss has had to deal with long-term injuries to three of his best players in Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay this season.
United’s squad is completely depleted yet it looks like the club could enter February with no new additions.
While Solskjaer has to take responsibility for things on the pitch, he is certainly not being helped by the board who are failing to back their manager when the squad needs bolstering the most.
