Man Utd include PL boss on four-man shortlist to replace Ole

Joe Williams
Man Utd-linked Brendan Rodgers waves

Man Utd have included Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers on a four-man shortlist to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford, according to reports.

The Red Devils’ 5-0 drubbing against Liverpool could have immediate ramifications for manager Solskjaer, with the Manchester Evening News reporting he could be sacked before United’s next game at Tottenham on Saturday.

The under-fire Man Utd boss called Sunday’s home defeat to Jurgen Klopp’s team the “darkest day” of his near three years in the dugout, admitting they had hit “rock bottom”.


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Liverpool’s biggest ever Old Trafford win compounded poor recent performances and will test the United hierarchy’s support of a man they gave a new three-year deal to over the summer.

Those in the corridors of power are well aware of how damaging Sunday’s loss was and, despite some dissatisfied murmurings beginning to seep out of the dressing room, there is yet to be a concrete update on Solskjaer.

However, The Sun claim the Man Utd hierarchy are lining up potential replacements as they consider Solskjaer’s future at Old Trafford.

It is understood that the board have ‘drawn up a four-man shortlist’ and have ‘sounded out’ Antonio Conte and Zinedine Zidane as their top targets.

Man Utd want to know if either of the pair ‘would be interested in the job’ with Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag and Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers ‘also on the shortlist’.

The report adds that the board have realised they ‘can no longer ignore the shocking downturn in form and results’ but that ‘a sudden upturn in results could yet save Solskjaer’.

Criticism of the dreadful display against Liverpool has been widespread, with left-back Luke Shaw – so impressive last season and for England at Euro 2020 – holding his hands up.

“Not good enough,” Shaw said. “I know of course this game is a team sport, a team game, but I think as individuals we need to be accountable of some of the performances today.

“And that’s why I’m here now. I’m not hiding in there (in the dressing room), not speaking.

“I come out, I say wasn’t good enough and I speak on behalf of myself, not the team. I’m accountable for my performance and it wasn’t good enough.

“Like I said, I’m not here to speak about the team. We know we can be better but for me also I need to be better than I was today. That’s why I come here now, not hide, speak to you, and tell it how it is.”