Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been given a chance to turn things around at the club and sort out the aftermath of Monday's 5-0 hammering at home to Liverpool.
Despite speculation that he was set to be replaced after nearly three years in the position, Solskjaer remains in his post and multiple sources have told Reuters that he will be in charge for this weekend's game against Tottenham Hotspur.
Sources close to the club said that United did not want to make a knee-jerk decision and are now focused on fixing the problems with the team's performances and results.
That loyalty came despite the intense pressure placed on Solskjaer, 48, after Monday's humiliation. Media has reported former Juventus and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is "interested" in the job and there have been claims of dressing room discontent.
But Solskjaer will know that any continuation of results and performances like Sunday's will make his position untenable at the club, who have not won the Premier League since Alex Ferguson's last season in charge in 2013.
United finished second in the Premier League last season and reached the final of the Europa League before bringing in French World Cup winning defender Raphael Varane, England winger Jadon Sancho and five-times Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
Those signings, particularly the return of Ronaldo, raised hopes that United could launch a title bid this season, but the team has won just one point from the last four games and looks well short of the standard required to compete with Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool for top spot.
However, since Solskjaer took over from Jose Mourinho in December 2018, initially on a temporary basis, the club have been working to make a long-term shift to recapture the "culture" of the Ferguson years, which Solskjaer experienced as a player.
Gradual improvements earned Solskjaer a contract extension in July, meaning his deal runs until 2024 with an option for an additional year. The assistant manager, Mike Phelan, was handed a similar extension this month.
Having made those commitments, United have been unwilling to jettison their plans on the basis of a sudden, albeit dramatic, slump in form.
Reuters