Man United will NOT challenge for the Premier League title next season, says former chairman Martin Edwards

Man United will NOT challenge for the Premier League title next season, says former chairman Martin Edwards
Martin Edwards has warned Manchester United fans not to expect to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lifting the Premier League title next season.However, the former United chairman urged the current board members to back the Norwegian and called for fans to be patient.4

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer salutes the Manchester United fans after the draw with Huddersfield Town

After a disappointing 1-1 draw at Huddersfield Town on Sunday, the Red Devils can officially no longer qualify for the Champions League.Having conceded many of the players in red at the John Smith’s Stadium have played their last game for the club, Solskjaer is well aware of the rebuilding job he has on his hands.Edwards has told talkSPORT he still feels the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’ is the right man for the job, but does not feel success will be instantaneous.“I can’t see them challenging for the title next year,” Edwards said.4

Former United chairman Edwards poses with Sir Alex Ferguson

“I think it needs a rebuilding job, I think they need certain players. I think United supporters are going to be patient.“And I think with Ole they will be patient than previous managers because he is one of our own.“He’s been a player, he’s popular, he understands the club, he makes the right noises, he’s enthusiastic.“So I think he will get support from the supporters and I hope he gets support from the management.”4

The ambitious Scot took over at Old Trafford in 1986 and transformed the Red Devils

Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, United have managed one second place finish in the Premier League and have slipped well behind bitter rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.Edwards, who served as chairman between 1980 and 2002, accepts that following the legendary manager is no mean feat as David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have all discovered.But after a sensational start as interim boss earlier in the season, Edwards believe Solskjaer can thrive and bring back the glory days to Old Trafford.“It’s been difficult since Alex Ferguson left, Ole is now the fourth manager,” he added.4

Jose Mourinho was sacked as Manchester United boss in December

“I don’t think any of them found it particularly easy, so we’ve sort of slipped backwards a bit.“Ole came in and did a great job earlier on in the season, I think it’s been difficult since – the last few games.“We’ve struggled a bit, particularly against Barcelona in Europe. But I think Ole now needs to be given support to start building again.“We are back from where we were, but we are still a high-profile club, we still have a huge worldwide support, we still get good income, so we have a chance of rebuilding. “So there is some hard work down the road, obviously with the current management and owners and everything else, and let’s hope that Ole can do it from the management point of view.“It’s not an easy job, it’s not been easy following Alex Ferguson, he’s started well but I think now he’s finding out how hard it is.“But hopefully, with a bit of support, he gets the players he wants in and going forward he can rebuild it.”

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