This archive report was first published on 17 June 2020.
Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov believes that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's position at the club will be cemented if he leads the team to a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Speaking in an interview with Betfair, Berbatov said that a top-four finish would give Solskjaer the confidence he needs to continue in his role, and would also silence critics who have been questioning his position.
“It’s massive for United to finish in the top four,” Berbatov said. “It will give confidence to the manager. We all know he gets criticised and put under pressure and people are constantly speculating about his position, but this would cement him in the job.
“He shouldn’t be seen as a transition figure anymore, it’s disrespectful, it shows him no respect to what he is doing in his position.”
With Manchester City facing a European ban for breaching UEFA financial rules, a top-four finish may be enough for Manchester United to qualify for the Champions League.
Berbatov believes that the team's players must hit the ground running when they face Tottenham Hotspur in their first match back on Friday to lay the groundwork for the season run-in.
“The first game is so important, they need to take their chance,” said Berbatov, who also played for Spurs from 2006-08. “If they do then there will be a massive change next season and it will be huge.”
