Sam Allardyce believes it is absolutely possible that Manchester United could get relegated from the Premier League this season.
Despite being considered one of the biggest clubs in world football, the Red Devils have slipped into mid-table mediocrity following a run of just two wins in their opening eight league games.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has presided over the club’s worst start to a season for 30 years, and Allardyce suggests the unthinkable could happen at Old Trafford.
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The former England manager recalls when Man United were relegated to the second tier of English football against all odds in 1974, just six seasons after winning the European Cup.
“They went down with a terrific team on paper,” Allardyce told talkSPORT. “So it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility that they could catastrophically fall into more problems if confidence goes and injuries stay like they are.
“Players tend not to get as fit as quick as they would do when things are going well, that’s an absolute fact.
“There’s the disturbance of [Paul] Pogba wanting away and who will pop up next saying, ‘I see this going the wrong way, I want to leave’?
“Manchester United do not have enough goals and you can see it becoming a struggle. Hopefully it’s not a struggle down the bottom end, but they’re certainly heading that way.
“Ole’s got a big job, I know they say it’s a rebuilding time and it is a rebuilding time, but you can’t get rid of your best goalscorer in the squad and not replace him. That’s a huge problem.
“Where are they going to get the top striker that they want?”
Man United currently sit just two points clear of safety and, outside the Premier League, alarm bells have been raised by their failure to beat League One Rochdale in normal time and their inability to register a shot on target against Dutch minnows AZ Alkmaar during the 0-0 draw last week.
talkSPORT host Jason Cundy echoed the thoughts of the former England manager on the Sports Bar last night.
“Relegation! You are sleep walking to the Championship if you stick with Ole,” he told Man United fan Andy Goldstein.
“With Ole at the wheel, you’re heading one way – straight to EFL football!”
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