Former Arsenal and Aston Villa ace Paul Merson believes Manchester United cannot afford to enter Tuesday evening's huge UEFA Champions League clash with Villarreal without a manager in place, amid ongoing speculation concerning Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's future.
Merson made the admission after United suffered a fifth defeat in their last seven Premier League matches on Saturday afternoon, losing 4-1 to Watford at Vicarage Road.
It was another dismal display from United, who have now taken just four points from the last 21 on offer, meaning Solskjaer was booed by sections of the away end as he made his way over to the travelling contingent to applaud them, thank them for their support and hold his hands up in apology.
The Manchester Evening News understands that members of United's squad now anticipate that Solskjaer will be sacked, with the Norwegian now, seemingly, having reached a point of no return.
It is understood that United had already decided that a change in manager would be needed ahead of the trip to Hertfordshire, but this latest defeat means that they may now have to speed up the process.
For Merson, who criticised both United's players and Solskjaer following the full-time whistle, he believes the Champions League remains United's only source of success this term, suggesting that it may be wrong to enter Tuesday's tussle without Solskjaer at the helm, given that the likelihood of him being sacked and replaced by then is incredibly slim.
Merson told Sky Sports: "It is three and a half years now without a trophy. This is the biggest club in the world.
"I have always said that I am not his [Solskjaer's] biggest fan, but I don't like what I am seeing from the players.
"Bruno Fernandes [at full time] is saying 'it's us, it's us'. They had their opportunity in 90 odd minutes of football. They have got to perform and that is why his job is under severe pressure. This should never happen.
"There is not one Watford player that could walk into the Man United team, not one, so how has that result happened? It can only happen through desire. It cannot happen through anything else bar desire.
"If they all play to the best of their ability, there is no way that Watford can beat Man United. Today is a hard one, because they have got a big game against Villarreal coming up on Tuesday.
"Do you go to Villarreal with no one? I don't think you can. This is what they're holding onto now, is the Champions League."
United's trip to Spain to lock horns with Villarreal is their penultimate game in Group F. The Reds currently sit top of the group on goal difference after securing seven points from their first four matches.
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