Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tactics on Saturday summarise his career as Manchester United boss

After yet another harrowing defeat, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s managerial tactics are a reflection of the mess Manchester United find themselves in

Manchester United are in disarray. A club once challenging for the most prestigious trophies in Europe, to now essentially becoming the new version of Arsenal in which top four would be considered a success.

Besides David De Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo, how many players can say they have been impressive this season? Although the players should take an element of responsibility, the elephant in the room is the manager.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has, on several occasions, been in a position in which he’s felt pressure as United boss but somehow pulls off a result against a big side which calms things down. But now he’s lost his luck in the big games, the majority of United fans believe his time is up.

In MEN’s latest Manchester Is Red podcast, Steve Railston was joined by Tyrone Marshall and Rich Fay as the trio looked back over United's shocking 2-0 defeat in the Manchester Derby on Saturday.

TM: “There was a bit of positivity after the Tottenham game and it felt like the formation had a future albeit a short-term one but Saturday exposed that it was to do with a poor Tottenham side. The way they conceded was disastrous.

“I’m surprised he (Solskjaer) didn’t change it before halftime, to be honest. It was noticed that he sent Jadon Sancho to warm up after 15 minutes on his own so you can tell 15 or 20 minutes in he was considering a change.

“But Solskjaer waited until half-time and by that time the game was gone, they were lucky to only be 2-0 down at half-time and if it wasn’t for more David De Gea heroics they could’ve been four or five down.

“United were completely outclassed yet again. It was obvious after being 1-0 down so early that the 3-5-2 wasn’t going to work. It was too easy for City to play against. You can tell the full-backs especially didn’t know what to do.

“It was obvious that the formation wasn’t working but Solskjaer just left it too late to change. That second goal just killed any hope United had of getting back into the game. City stopped playing in the second half and even then United offered nothing.”

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RF: “It was an absolute schooling. Man City didn’t even come out of second gear, they were so comfortable and they didn’t break a sweat. It was worse than the 5-0 defeat (to Liverpool) because there was no effort, no spirit, nothing. It was an absolute embarrassment.”

Ole’s managerial decisions are eerily similar to his treatment from United’s hierarchy- there were thoughts of making a change when the time was right, but opted not to and instead made the change when it was far too late to rectify things.

That one game of football had summarised Solskjaer’s time as United boss. A lack of tactical direction, an unnecessary and over-defensive formation that relies on the hope of a moment of brilliance.

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