Danny Higginbotham: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Sack Demands Are 'Laughable'

Former Manchester United defender Danny Higginbotham has insisted the calls for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be sacked as manager of the Red Devils are "laughable."

The pundit told TalkSport's Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast United must give their coach time to rebuild the failing giants and that calls for the Norwegian's head are premature.

"The talk of people saying Solskjaer should go already, I think it’s laughable.

"He hasn’t brought anybody into the club, he hasn’t brought in players he believes fit his style.

"He’s got to be given time in the summer to be able to do what he wants, whether that be bringing players in or getting rid of players.

"There’s been so much chopping and changing. You have to have continuity, because if you haven’t got that, you haven’t got anything."

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Solskjaer's stellar impact after arriving as interim boss in December has soon been forgotten after a disastrous end to the campaign.

United collected only two victories in their last 12 in all competitions. After appearing to be back on track to capture a top-four berth in the Premier League, the club ended five points short of the target in sixth.

Higginbotham explained he believes Solskjaer is following a similar path to rebuilding as Jurgen Klopp did when he took over at Liverpool. The German initially took the time to learn about his existing squad before implementing significant changes.

"You look at Jurgen Klopp and what he’s doing at Liverpool. It’s incredible, but there’s been a plan in place. When he first took over, he didn’t sign anybody. He had a trial period for the players at the club, and that’s what I believe Solskjaer has done.

"From him taking over to the last game of the season, I think he’s been able to evaluate every single player at the club, so he can say which players are going to fit in with his plans and the ones that aren’t.

"So now he goes into the summer knowing what positions he needs to strengthen.

"He also needs a full pre-season, because the fitness levels they had under Jose Mourinho are for one style of football, but the fitness levels they need under Solskjaer are a completely different level and you can’t do that mid-season."

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As with every summer transfer window, United will be linked with a host of stars and improving players.

Higginbotham added Solskjaer should prioritise the signing of breakout talent as Liverpool have done, creating a squad that will "grow and go forward together."

United have suffered at both ends of the field, and glaring issues present under Mourinho have once again risen to the surface in the final months of the season.

The productivity of attackers like Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba has declined after an excellent spell when Solskjaer first took over, and with a weak defence behind them, United have been significantly short of the standard to compete at the highest level.