Michael Owen warns Man Utd could crash out of the top six with things ‘not going well’ under Solskjaer
Manchester United have gone from top-four contenders to potential top-six dropouts after their poor start to the season, according to Michael Owen.
United finished sixth last season just five points behind the last Champions League qualification spot with fans optimistic they could return to the top table of European football this time around.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had been given the manager's job permanently after a successful caretaker spell but has only picked up one win from four games so far this season.
And former United striker Owen reckons they might start looking over their shoulder at the chasing pack rather than up at the Premier League's top dogs.
Owen told ESPN: "It’s strange isn’t it because a lot of people were saying ‘can United finish top four?’ at the start of the year.
“And now after an average start everyone’s saying ‘can it be top six?’.
“Of course they can, of course they can, they can still finish top four if they have a good time.
“But there’s plenty of other good teams now in the Premier League and plenty of teams trying to catch those top six positions, so it does remain to be seen.
“On current form, on current results, it’s not going well.
“But they’re certainly going to win more games than they lose so you’d have to think that the top six is very realistic.”
United spent nearly £150million in the summer transfer window, prioritising young British talent.
They brought in Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire and Daniel James, who scored for Wales last night to continue his outstanding start to the season.
And Owen now thinks they have the right players in the squad to move up the table - but it will take some time to turn then into a team.
Owen added: “I don’t necessarily think the players are all that bad, I think when you look at other teams, look at Liverpool for example, are Manchester United players far inferior to Liverpool’s? I don’t necessarily think so.
“But do Liverpool’s players play with a greater understanding, a great cohesion, a lot of confidence? Then, yes.”