Former Premier League star Carlton Palmer has warned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that he must challenge for the league title this season or risk losing his job at Manchester United.

The Norwegian has been criticised throughout the last few days due to United’s generally poor form.

Indeed, United beat West Ham United 2-1 as many punters cashed in on a Unibet promo code but they were then beaten 1-0 by the same opposition in the EFL Cup, before their 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

In midweek, United did beat Villarreal 2-1 but they needed an injury time winner from Cristiano Ronaldo to give the hosts all three points after a disjointed performance.

In the Premier League, United are fourth, one point behind leaders Liverpool, and Palmer insists that the Norwegian needs to challenge for silverware if he is to have any chance of being in charge next season.

Indeed, he does not believe that it is right to speak about Solskjaer being sacked at this stage, with the club still in with a real shout at the top end of the table, but he does think the pressure is on, particularly after a summer of recruitment that saw Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, and Raphael Varane all end up at Old Trafford.

He said: “They are up there. It’s crazy to be talking about him going at this stage of the season. I think he’s definitely under pressure this season, for sure, because he’s had the money, he’s brought in the players he’s wanted, they’ve got to be challenging for the league title.

“If they are not challenging for the league title, I know they finished second last season, but they can’t afford to be that far behind the league leaders this season. If they’re finishing 10 or 12 points behind the league leaders, I don’t see Solskjaer being manager of Manchester United next season. He has definitely got to be challenging, this is his breakout season.

“He’s got to win something or he’s got to be challenging for the title, he’s got to be close, so he’s under pressure and so he should be this season. He’s revamped the football club, he’s been backed by the board, he’s been backed by the hierarchy in terms of the players he wants.

“But he needs also to be given time and let’s see where he is in the next couple of months.”