Alan Shearer’s managerial record is eight games, five points won and one relegation from the Premier League.
When you take that at face value, that makes him statistically one of the worst managers in top-flight history – that title is perhaps held by former Crystal Palace boss Frank de Boer – but you can only come to that conclusion without, crucially, adding context.
Instead, it would be a fairer assessment of Shearer’s managerial credentials to note that the Newcastle side that ‘he relegated’ were already condemned to drop to the Championship after a tumultuous season caused by gross mismanagement at board room level.
Regardless of Shearer’s managerial ability, though, the Premier League’s top goalscorer is undoubtedly one of TV’s greatest pundits, albeit the standards maybe aren’t that high – his appearances on Match of the Day are insightful, well researched and informative.
Manchester United delivered yet another poor performance against Leicester on Saturday afternoon, looking pedestrian and tepid at the King Power Stadium, which ultimately led to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side losing 4-2 against the Foxes.
It was the latest miserable display from United in a string of awful results and external pressure is building on Solskjaer.
After that result, forensic analysis from fans and those in the media immediately ensued in an attempt to explain what exactly had gone wrong.
Paul Pogba admitted after the game that he didn’t have the answer to that question, with the Frenchman looking bemused in his post-match press conference – United’s away contingent were feeling more than bemusement, though.
Squad harmony remains at a relative high, despite recent loss of form and Solskjaer is still a popular figure in the dressing room given his personal approach and skills as a man-manager.
It is another reason why the Norwegian is set to stay in charge for the foreseeable future, particularly given he only signed a new long-term contract in the summer when there was no immediate rush for the club to do so.
Since then assistant Mike Phelan has also been rewarded with a new deal while there are talks of similar extensions for Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna — further endorsement of a coaching set-up which is yet to bring any silverware to Old Trafford since arriving almost three years ago.
After being backed with £128million worth of signings and a new contact in the summer window it is clear United won’t rush into any rash decisions regarding Solskjaer right now.
Failure to perform during a gruelling fixture schedule could well increase the pressure and force club officials to take drastic action but right now United are looking for unity.
The Manchester United line-up Solskjaer must considermenThe Manchester United player that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can call upon to revive this seasonmen.