Football punditry is a strange game.
Each and every one of us have our own view on most subject matters but it seems that those who hang up their boots and enter the world of punditry need to come up with something controversial to cement their place in that particularly competitive aspect of the media world.
Take the case of Dean Saunders.
As a former Liverpool player, he’s never going to be somebody the United faithful look up to, the rivalry that exists between us guarantees that.
However, in a recent discussion on Talksport, Saunders has provided a response to a question he was asked that was always going to pull at our emotive strings.
When asked by the former Manchester United striker, Alan Brazil, whether Ole Gunnar Solksjaer will last the season out as the boss of Manchester United, Saunders pulled no punches with his response, replying:
“I don’t think he will, Al.
“I just think he’s walked into a mess and he’s got such a difficult job.
“These players, with one or two exceptions, have got three managers the sack.
“These players have just got Mourinho the sack and if Solskjaer doesn’t get his own players on the pitch they’ll get him the sack, and he knows that.
“He knows if he keeps on with these players and doesn’t change the personnel, he’ll get sacked.
“I think he needs some help, you’ve got to write some cheques and get the job done, get the people you want out the building out as quick as possible.”
Now my initial response was to strike back, defend our honour and our corner, but after contemplating those words I have a nagging feeling that Saunders may well have hit the nail on the head.
I’m desperate to see Solksjaer succeed, I want Ole to be the one that rebuilds a fading side and not only closes the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City but see United strive to better their achievements.
But, and it’s a big but, our transfer activity isn’t (so far) what I hoped it would be, our form towards the end of last season was dismal and the pressure is already building on the Norwegian to start the season with a bang.
Building a new dynasty will take time, the last thing we need is another managerial change midway through a season but the fine line between success and failure produces snap reactions from those that run the top clubs in the Premier League.
But what makes things even harder to bear when it comes to Saunders outburst is that nagging suspicion, he’ll be muttering those awful words, “I told you so” before the last game of the season.
Manchester United, don’t let it happen, instead, make Saunders eat his words!
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