Social media is best avoided after football matches in my experience as someone who writes about Manchester United. Now every game seems to define why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be either backed or sacked as manager.
It’s tiresome. Too many social media users crave being the one who says ‘I told you so’ rather than take a few inevitable bumps and properly assess over time.
Phil Neville’s verdict on last night’s disappointment, losing 3-2 against RB Leipzig and crashing out of the Champions League as a result, hits the nail on the head for me about how certain people – fans included – digest the game.
Neville suggests there is a “witch-hunt” to get Solskjaer out of Manchester United. On top of that, he insists the club’s early Champions League exit is not a “disaster”.
“There’s an awful narrative where the minute United lose a game it seems like a disaster,” the treble winner told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“It’s not a disaster tonight, but it’s disappointing. United wanted to be in the last 16.
“There are Manchester United teams in the past with better managers than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – like Sir Alex Ferguson – which have gone out at this stage. It does happen, it has happened.
“It’s quite a freakish time at the moment. There are managers in the Premier League who are below United in the league but have great reputations and don’t get the stick Solskjaer gets.
“If United win on Saturday – and Ole’s teams tend to do well in big moments, I think Saturday is a big moment for the manager and for the players.
“They played poorly in the first 30 minutes, they got punished in a group which was really, really difficult and they’re out of the competition. They’re now in the Europa League, they’ve got to go out and win that.
“The narrative from inside the club is far, far different to that outside the club, where it seems there’s a total witch-hunt to get this boy out of the job.”
"There is a total witch-hunt to get him out of a job"
👹 Phil Neville thinks Ole gets too much stick
⚽️ But has to prove himself in the Manchester Derby on Saturday
Listen to reaction from #RBLMUN on @BBCSounds 👇
🎧: https://t.co/NI1sjtGRxI#UCL #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/RH4nwGasFt— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) December 8, 2020
Solskjaer’s side only needed a point to qualify, but found themselves two goals down after 13 minutes. It was the worst possible start and we fell even further behind through during the second half after Justin Kluivert getting on the scoresheet.
Bruno Fernandes pulled one back from the penalty spot before an own goal (not sure if it will be given to Paul Pogba) set up for a cagey finale.
Leipzig were able to hold on to their lead and booked their place in the Round of 16 again.
Read more: Manchester United are one of the Europa League favourites – Mourinho
