The wheels have not come off of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United revolution.
That’s the view of Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer, who insists the Norwegian remains the right man to be Old Trafford’s next permanent manager.
Solskjaer has found himself questioned for the first time since taking over as caretaker boss in December after back-to-back losses.
Last weekend’s Premier League defeat to Arsenal – Solskjaer’s first in domestic action – was followed up by Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Wolves in the FA Cup quarter-final.
Solskjaer admitted after his side’s Molineux mauling they they were nowhere near the level required.
Nevertheless, he has led the side into the Champions League last eight after a remarkable comeback win over Paris Saint-Germain.
And Shearer believes his overall body of work thus far has been “magnificent”.
“Had Jose Mourinho still been in charge I’m pretty sure United would have been out of the Champions League by now and wouldn’t be challenging for the top four,” declared Shearer, writing in his Sun column.
“I’m not saying United have to announce now that he’s officially got the job because I don’t think there’s any need to do it. The end of the season will be fine but he is absolutely the perfect fit for the role and nothing which has happened recently has dissuaded me from that view.
“The fact they have lost two in a row makes things look worse than they are.
“But United were desperately unlucky to lose to Arsenal last weekend with the keepers playing a major part. David de Gea made a bad mistake and Bernd Leno made some cracking saves.
“The wheels haven’t come off, this is just a little puncture.”
United are next in action after the international break against Watford on March 30