Solskjaer is NOT under pressure at Man Utd yet but record in Champions League ‘not good enough’, says Dimitar Berbatov
EX-MANCHESTER UNITED star Dimitar Berbatov doesn’t believe current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is under pressure.
The Red Devils are currently top of the Premier League on goal difference but lost 2-1 to Young Boys in their Champions League opener.
Berbatov told Betfair: “Seven defeats in 11 Champions League matches under Ole Solskjaer is not good enough for United.
“I get that but sometimes there is more to football than the statistics show.
“Is Solskjaer’s job at risk after the defeat in Switzerland? Come on, you can’t be serious. United have played four games in the Premier League and won three of them.
“One defeat in the Champions League does not put Ole’s job in jeopardy. I don’t see any point in discussing Solskjaer’s future so early in the season.
“United have a strong squad, have made excellent signings who are bedding in, and we should judge them at the end of the group stage, not after one match.”
And Berbatov, who won two Premier League titles at Man Utd between 2008 and 2012, has offered his support to Jesse Lingard.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
The England winger’s sloppy back pass on Tuesday evening gave Theoson Siebatcheu the chance to score Young Boys’ 95th-minute winner.
Berbatov added: “Lingard has had a mixed few days. His goal against Newcastle was excellent, a really smart and composed finish.
“You feel high after a goal like that and come crashing back down to earth when you make a mistake that costs your team, as Lingard did against Young Boys.
“It happens to the best of us and Jesse can bounce back. But the incident showed again why concentration is so important in football.
“There will be plenty more opportunities for Lingard and United to put things right, starting when they go to West Ham [on Sunday].”
But Berbatov is concerned about Donny van de Beek’s Old Trafford future after he was substituted at half-time against Young Boys.
I’m not surprised by the immediate impact he has made at United and he will only get better as the season goes on. You cannot argue with his goalscoring and the aura that he brings to the team.
Dimitar Berbatov on Cristiano Ronaldo
The Dutch midfielder, 24, started just FOUR Premier League games last term and Berbatov is worried his days in Manchester are numbered.
The Bulgarian icon said: “Van de Beek is running out of time to save his United career.
“He started against Young Boys but was substituted at half-time. This has been the story of his time at the club.
“If he plays, he’s brought off. If he comes on, he gets 10 minutes. He never gets the chance to settle and show what he can do.
“It’s just not working out… United paid big money for him. But this is what happens when you spend money just to satisfy your fans.
“I still hope he gets a proper chance but it is going to be very difficult for him and the club may decide to cut their losses, if they can.”
Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals
For more from Betfair Ambassador, Dimitar Berbatov head to www.betfair.com/berbatov