Chelsea manager Frank Lampard believes former players turned managers are treated differently amid the pressure on Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
United crashed out of the Champions League this week following a 3-2 defeat by RB Leipzig, a result which Solskjaer took full responsibility for.
Chelsea booked their place in the last 16 and have made a decent start to the season under Lampard, sitting third after 11 games with 22 points.
United can move level on points with the London side by winning their game in hand and face Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Lampard refused to comment on Solskjaer's future at United, stating his belief that he and the Norwegian are treated differently due to their transition from the pitch to the dugout.
"When you’ve played for the club, I think people do look at it with a different viewpoint," Lampard said.
"I think in certain tough times it can be very casual and very easy just to refer back to the fact you were a player and that’s why you got the job.
"That can be used against you and all you do is try and work against that. Whether it’s myself, Ole, or anyone else in that position — it’s not just us two that have taken that path, there are other managers.
"That’s kind of just how I feel about it. But one thing you can’t do is complain about it — you just get on with your job and I’m sure that’s exactly what Ole is doing behind the scenes as I do every day here."
MEN Sport understands Solskjaer retains a sizeable section of support from the United dressing room but some players believe he is the source of the club's problems.
A number of United players believe the manager is to blame for their inconsistent form but the majority of the playing squad like Solskjaer and continue to back him despite the club's interest in former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.
