"If someone mentioned finishing fourth as a great achievement, they'd have been lynched" – Roy Keane warns Ole Gunnar Solskjaer about short-term success

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Roy Keane has told Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that he needs wins quickly to have any chance of a long-term future at Old Trafford.

United were beaten 2-0 by West Ham on Sunday, which leaves them 10 points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool after just six matches.

And while Keane says his former team-mate needs more opportunities to strengthen United's squad in the transfer market, he acknowledges that the scrutiny on Solskjaer will only increase if United’s poor form continues.

“There was a feelgood factor for Ole at the start [of his tenure] and he needs three or four transfer windows,” the former United captain told Sky Sports.

"But if you're not getting results and lose matches, the pressure builds and builds. You won't get time.

"I have known Ole for a long time. I can tell looking at his eyes he is fuming and disgusted.

“When there are young players coming through, you have to remind them you are playing for Manchester United to win. People talk about development and finishing fourth, but don't forget about winning.

“God help me in our dressing room if someone mentioned finishing fourth as a great achievement. He would have been lynched, absolutely.

“A couple of weeks ago I'd have said I wasn't sure about the top four for United, but having looked at Tottenham and Arsenal over the last few weeks, I think United should be expecting to finish fourth. It's there for the taking. It's there for a lot of teams and United, with the players that they have, should be capable of doing it.

“That's where the pressure comes onto Ole because there has to be some sort of pressure on him. You can't be saying: 'We've got a two to three-year plan'. That's nonsense as well. You've got to win football matches consistently at big clubs.”

Untied welcome Rochdale to Old Trafford in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, before a Premier League clash with Arsenal next Monday.

READ MORE

Ranked! The 101 best players in the Premier League right now: full list revealed

10 players who came to the Premier League too early

Who would play every Premier League manager if they were cast in a Hollywood film?

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football journalist who's filled in wherever FourFourTwo needs him since 2014. He became a Crystal Palace fan after watching a 1-0 loss to Port Vale in 1998, and once got on the scoresheet in a primary school game against Wilfried Zaha's Whitehorse Manor (an own goal in an 8-0 defeat).

Latest in
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
'That Alexander-Arnold spoke more with a goal gesture than he did with any other communication to supporters is one of the reasons his move to Real Madrid isn’t being accepted too kindly on Merseyside': How it got to this stage with Liverpool and Trent
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
'I won the World Cup and I said to myself, I've done it all, I need to keep feeling emotions': Raphael Varane opens up on why he had to leave 'indescribable' Real Madrid for Manchester United
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Latest in News
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
'I won the World Cup and I said to myself, I've done it all, I need to keep feeling emotions': Raphael Varane opens up on why he had to leave 'indescribable' Real Madrid for Manchester United
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report