In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Carlton Palmer has delivered his verdict on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's future at Manchester United amid links to Mauricio Pochettino.

It's safe to say that the Red Devils have endured a difficult start to the season after they were dumped out of the Champions League by RB Leipzig.

However, United have begun to turn their poor run of form around, as they shared the spoils with bitter rivals Manchester City before edging past Premier League strugglers Sheffield United at Bramall Lane last time out.

But Solskjaer has come under immense scrutiny in recent weeks, and Ed Woodward has failed to dampen the speculation, although recent reports emerged in the media that the board will continue to back the under-fire boss.

Yet this has done very little to halt the rumours and questions over his future at Old Trafford, with Pochettino waiting in the wings.

When asked if he thought United would target the former Tottenahm Hotspur manager, Palmer told Football FanCast's Tom Ward:

"Well, the way they're talking is that Solskjaer is safe until the summer. Don't get me wrong, even with Ole being there, they'll still be there or thereabouts finishing in the top four, because they've got talented individuals.

"But that's not good enough for Manchester United. They should be challenging for the league and they're going to be a long way off from that.

"Finishing in the top four doesn't mean anything now. I mean, if you finish behind Liverpool, you're going to be 20 points behind in second or third place."

United play host to newly-promoted Leeds United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon as they look to resume their Pennines derby rivalry before they face Everton and Leicester City in quick succession in what could be a defining moment for Solskjaer's managerial career.

He will be well aware that his side cannot afford to slip up, that's for sure.

AND in other news, Ed Woodward must sanction Manchester United swoop for Bayern Munich defender David Alaba...