By John Essien
Contrary to claims suggesting Cristiano Ronaldo’s irrelevancy to the Manchester United squad, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have the Portuguese to thank after all if he does manage to survive sacking at Old Trafford.
According to a recent report by the Manchester Evening News, part of the reason that the United dressing room hasn’t completed turned against the Manager is down to Ronaldo.
While some quotas have faulted the signing of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, with claims that his presence has only reduced United’s force in the attack, Ronaldo is supposedly holding the dressing room together after a series of shambolic United performances in recent weeks.
Solskjaer’s job security was always likely to be called into question after the events of this past weekend.
The Red Devils were humiliated at Old Trafford, losing 5-0 to bitter rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.
That defeat came on the back of a late collapse away at Leicester City, where Ole’s men conceded two goals in the last 10 minutes to throw away a point at the very least.
In such circumstances, some players might begin to lose faith in their coach’s methods – and therefore start to intentionally erode his authority.
However, Ronaldo who has found the net six times so far this season for United, is said to have told his peers to stay professional, regardless of their feelings for the 48-year-old.
Two of Ronaldo’s goals have come at the dearth for the Red Devils, handing the embattled Manager a lifeline.
The MEN states that the 36-year-old explicitly told the squad not to down tools, which further exemplifies why he is one of the greatest players of all time.
In terms of Solskjaer’s immediate future, the Norwegian now has three games to save his job, according to the Telegraph.
That means he will be in the dugout for the tough upcoming trips to Tottenham and Atalanta, as well as the Manchester derby back at Old Trafford.
If United fail to impress in those fixtures, it seems highly likely that Solskjaer will be shown the door.
A number of Managers have already been linked with the coveted position, with Antonio Conte being viewed as the logical appointment – should the club’s board opt to make a managerial change.
