Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deserves to carry on as manager until the end of the season.
Solskjaer is facing renewed pressure after United were beaten by Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, their third defeat at home of the season.
United have won both of their games in the Champions League and can take a major step towards reaching the knockout stages on Wednesday night when they face Istanbul Basaksehir.
But United’s inconsistency and the underperformance from several players has led to questions over Solskjaer’s future at the club.
Solskjaer’s former United team-mate Roy Keane claimed the players may not be good enough to keep the Norweigan in the job.
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However, Ince feels Solskjaer deserves more time before the likes of Mauricio Pochettino start to get linked with his job again.
“I hope Ole lasts the season, because it means United are doing well, and as ex-Man United captain, I want them to do well,” Ince said.
“Let’s get that straight. I want them challenging. This is a great time for a Manchester United, a Tottenham or an Arsenal to win the title – this season in these weird times.
It’s a great time for United to challenge for the title but they’re going completely the other way. I hope they’re up there, I really do. But if you’re not winning games, you’re putting pressure on yourself. I wouldn’t want any manager to lose their job, but that’s how it is.
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“But now, again, when results are dropping, then Pochettino’s name is going to come up again. Max Allegri.
“You know, when you’ve got all of these big names out there and you’re not getting results, you know they’re going to be linked with your job. You can’t get away from that.
“Of course any manager would take the Manchester United job. You can’t turn that job down. Whether it’s Pochettino, Max Allegri, if Man United come calling, you’re taking the job. There’s no two ways about it. Ole’s in the hot seat and he’s got to make sure he stays there.”
Paul Ince, speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at its launch of the 5-A-Side Bet on Leicester v Wolves
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