Mikel Arteta has admitted he feels sorry for Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the Norwegian coming under increasing pressure at Old Trafford.
Mikel Arteta said “It’s always about the results, and we all know that and the rest it doesn’t really matter,” said Arteta. So when you are having difficulties getting results, then you’re going to be in that position. There is nothing new for anybody. But yes, obviously you feel [for them] because you know what you have to go through. So you feel that obviously, it’s not a nice moment for those that are going through that.”
Solskjaer was inevitably asked about his future at United in the immediate aftermath of his team’s heavy defeat to Liverpool last weekend, but insisted he was the right man to lead the club forward.
Ole Gunnar Soljkaer “We’ve come too far as a group and we’re too close to give up now. I’ve heard nothing else [about a potential departure], and I’m still thinking about tomorrow’s work, of course. We’re all low. I can’t say now that I’ve felt any worse than this. This is the lowest I’ve been. But as I’ve said, I accept the responsibility, and that is mine today. It’s mine going forward. I do believe in myself, I do believe that I am getting close to what I want with the club, I think what we’ve done, what I’ve seen, the development, of course, the results lately haven’t been good enough. But I’ve got to keep strong and I do believe in what we’ve been doing, the coaching staff and the players.”
Solskjaer saw his side thumped 5-0 by Liverpool last weekend, with United trailing 4-0 at half-time in the clash in Manchester on Sunday afternoon. The former Man United striker is now the clear favourite to be sacked next in the Premier League, with some reports even suggesting that the club are eyeing a move for Antonio Conte to replace the Norwegian. Arteta himself knows plenty about being under pressure as manager of a top Premier League club, with the Spaniard coming under fire earlier in the season following Arsenal’s poor start to the season. Now, Arteta has sent a supportive message to Solskjaer before Man United’s trip to Tottenham on Saturday evening, with the Gunners boss admitting he has sympathy.
