Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Won’t ‘Blame Others’ Amid Manchester United Struggles

PAUL ELLIS/Getty Images

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said he is willing to take responsibility for the team's poor performances instead of pointing to the club's issues in the transfer market.

The Red Devils sit in fifth place in the Premier League table, but they are just four points clear of 14th position and have lost their previous two matches in succession.

Given the nature of the displays in the losses to Liverpool and most notably Burnley, Solskjaer has come in for some stick for his management. 

Ahead of the team's meeting with Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup on Sunday, the Norwegian said he won't be looking to shift the blame for the club's recent issues, per Tyrone Marshall of the Manchester Evening News:

“It's a skill to look yourself in mirror sometimes and not just blame others as well. That's what some of us do, blame others, some of us think we’re better than others.

“For me it's about understanding. And I believe in the structure that's been put in behind here, in the time I have been here, with all the resources spent on scouting, recruiting and researching players to make sure we are comfortable when we sign them.

“But they won't sign a player without me accepting it. It's down to me to say yes or no when the club finds a target.”

Marshall noted that Solskjaer's comments may have been a small dig at his predecessors Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal, who both made it clear they were unhappy with the club's recruitment during their time in charge of the club.

While Solskjaer didn't want to point fingers at those in charge of bringing in new players, at this point it's clear the team requires some investment. Bleacher Report's Rob Blanchette thinks it's imperative new faces come in soon:

Rob Blanchette @_Rob_B

The Glazers do understand that if they're not winning on the pitch, they will need to appease investors & sponsors with new players. That's how this football roundabout spins. Squad austerity will kill their financial edge. So eventually, they'll spend. But probably incorrectly.

Football writer Daniel Storey said he's unsure whether Solskjaer has achieved enough to warrant a show of faith:

Daniel Storey @danielstorey85

Using the ‘Alex Ferguson took seasons to get it right' argument to justify faith in Solskjaer is so deeply flawed. Ferguson had won three league titles, five domestic cups and two European trophies before joining them. He had a CV that argued for perseverence; Solskjaer doesn't.

United signed Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James ahead of the current campaign and all three have proven to be positive acquisitions. However, there are clearly holes in the squad that require plugging still.

In midfield, the Red Devils have been devoid of creativity, with Paul Pogba injured for long spells of the campaign. United have been linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon's playmaker Bruno Fernandes, although are reportedly not willing to meet the club's £68 million valuation.

Annie Eaves of Sport Witness noted the club have not been busy at all in recent windows:

Annie Eaves @AnnieEaves

So if we theoretically value Smalling and Herrera at £50m combined, that would mean the net spend over four windows (including this one) stands at £74m, or £18.5m a window.

A high-class January acquisition would give everyone at United a boost. The team clearly requires some inspiration in their play, especially with Marcus Rashford sidelined for at least two months with a back injury.

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Solskjaer will be desperate for his side to negotiate Sunday's FA Cup tie at Prenton Park, as defeat to third-tier opponents would bring about a new wave of severe criticism. A cup run would be another way to keep spirits high at Old Trafford too.

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