Ben Guest
Manchester United legend Bryan Robson has said that his former club is lacking leaders, but insists that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should not be judged until he has been in the job for three years.
It has been a miserable start to the 2019/20 campaign for Manchester United, winning just two of their opening eight Premier League games, as well as struggling in the Europa League and Carabao Cup.
Solskjaer is among the favourites to be the next Premier League manager to lose their job, though former United midfielder Bryan Robson thinks that managers should be afforded three years to implement their ideas before being judged.
“I believe three years is the time when you make the decision on whether your manager is doing well.
“They have hung their hat on Ole being the man for the job and reinvigorating their youth policy and developing more kids coming through.”
The Red Devils allowed the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez, Ander Herrera, Chris Smalling, Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian leave the club over the summer, with Marouane Fellaini leaving six months previously, though only Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Dan James were added to the Norwegian’s squad.
The former United captain said that his former side have ‘left themselves a little bit short’ and need to add more experience and leaders to their ranks.
“I think United’s only mistake so far is allowing too many experienced players to go. Because we have had quite a lot of injuries at this stage of the season they have left themselves a little bit short. That is why they are where they are.
“Lukaku, Sanchez, Ander Herrera, Chris Smalling. These are very experienced players. In this situation, rather than kids, you need those types of experience players to steady it.
“People talk about leaders and every club needs them. Whether it is a central midfielder or a dominant centre-half, you need a leader to organise on the pitch. United and others are looking for that type of player.”
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