The United hierarchy are prepared to stick with Solskjaer for now following the humiliating defeat against Liverpool, but his position could become untenable in the near future

Through a fixed stare and with an upper lip that could cut glass, Ole Gunner Solskjaer , insisted that Manchester United were getting “close to what he wants” after the Liverpool humiliation.

The reality is that he is closer to his final curtain call than he’s ever been before.

Solskjaer will be in charge for Saturday’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur, but that could well be the start of his final week as United boss.

The beginning of the end perhaps came long ago, as his team have floundered and confused their way through a series of matches – even during last season’s run to a second-place Premier League finish in a behind-closed-doors campaign that often threw up the unexpected.

This season has brought expensive new additions but with that an increased expectation on the manager.

United were probably never going to win the league up against Manchester City’s millions, Liverpool’s return to what they knew and Chelsea’s coming force, but they could have done with at least looking like they could, instead of whatever it is that Solskjaer has served up, particularly in the last two league matches.

Now his side face Spurs, Atalanta and then City  in the seven days from Saturday, each opponent representing the potential to be the toughened glass which allows one more step along the elevated bridge, or the flimsy surface that will lead to doom.

It is now widely expected that the axe will fall on the United boss if he presides over defeats in all three matches, but it could come even sooner than that.

If Atalanta have learned how to hold onto a lead then it could be the Italians who administer the final blow, or if Harry Kane has got his shooting boots on then maybe it comes via a disorganised defeat at Spurs?

Most worryingly for the United boss is the fact that his team could win both of those matches, but then they’ll face a City side who could easily do what Liverpool did to them, and this time show no mercy.

That will place them back at square one, a location that Solskjaer can surely lay claim to residency in such is the frequency of his visits.

And with the international break looming, there would be serious questions for the club’s board.

For now there remains the backing of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, managing director Richard Arnold and crucially Sir Alex Ferguson, however non-plussed he looked with events against Liverpool

It will be Joel Glazer who makes the final call, but as long as those three named above are all on the same page then there is unlikely to be any movement unless something dramatic happens in these next three games.

It is said that Solskjaer also retains the goodwill and the backing of the vast majority of the playing squad, even if they have misgivings about some of his tactical approaches – or the lack of them.

Those are the issues that are now being openly dissected by the manager’s friends in the media too, with the likes of Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes all suddenly less shy to come forward and pick apart the setup and structure of their former club.

Even despite all that there has been a desire to point out that this is not akin the poisonous final days of the Jose Mourinho  reign, when players were alienated and the club’s Carrington training ground became a hostile place, and you can imagine that to be true

No-one inside of United will be taking any pleasure from the situation if we are about to head into Solskjaer’s final week, and the same goes for the vast majority of the United supporters who might now be coming to the collective realisation that the club legend just doesn’t have what it takes – but won’t be too hostile in their criticism.

That is an admirable approach, as is Solskjaer’s continuing defiance in the face of unfolding failures.

You only get so many of those though, and the United manager might have reached his limit very soon.

Anthony Joshua has said he is “done with losing” as he considers a coaching shake-up following his defeat by Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua, who lost the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles to Ukrainian Usyk, told sporting media that he was ready for “war” as he prepares for a potential rematch.

“I’m done with losing. I’m done with trying to learn the sweet science,” Briton Joshua, 32, said.

“[Usyk] might get thrown on the floor in the next fight because this is war.”

He added: “I’m heading into my 12th world title fight now and the learning is done. It’s done. It’s just war. I’m annoyed. I’m boiling up just speaking about it.”

Joshua has spent time in the United States since the loss and worked with leading trainers including Ronnie Shields, who was instrumental in Mike Tyson’s in-ring career.

He insisted he was not splitting from long-time coach Rob McCracken but instead needed to develop further by seeking other inputs.

“I need a new coach to learn from as well,” he added.

“I will not be basing myself in the States, I am a UK resident so I am not going out to the States to find a new coach.

“Rob’s in Lithuania so I need to find a new coach for certain points as I train 10 or 11 months a year. I need to step away and get some new teachings from trainers who have trained the likes of 13 or 14 world champions.

“I wish I had done these things sooner, but now I can go out there and add things to my game.”

Defeat by Usyk has put any immediate hopes of a clash with fellow Briton Tyson Fury, the WBC belt holder, on hold.

However, Joshua said he would use the setback as a catalyst to further success.

“Because you don’t hear from me, I may not be effing and blinding on Instagram stories and stuff like that, it doesn’t mean that I stomach losses,” he said.

“We’ve had some awkward conversations in the camp. It hurts, especially when you’ve got a winner’s mentality.

“I know from experience and track record, my mindset and my evaluation of losses and how I use them, it can catapult me to the next level.”

West Ham ended Manchester City’s four-year hold on the League Cup on Wednesday (Oct 27) as Liverpool and Tottenham booked their places in the quarter-finals.

City’s record run in the competition came to an end at the London Stadium as the Hammers emerged 5-3 winners from a penalty shootout after both sides were guilty of missing plenty of chances in a 0-0 draw.

Phil Foden was the only man to miss from the spot as Mark Noble, Jarrod Bowen, Craig Dawson, Aaron Cresswell and Said Benrahma all found the net for David Moyes’ men.

Pep Guardiola characteristically named a strong side and will feel City should have continued their run of 21 League Cup games without defeat.

Nathan Ake, John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling all wasted big opportunities as the scoreline belied a contest which raged from one end to the other.

Tomas Soucek also side-footed wide two big chances to win the game for the hosts.

Foden was thrown on along with Jack Grealish in an attempt to win the game from Guardiola.

But the England international pulled City’s first penalty wide and stand-in goalkeeper Zack Steffen could not bail his teammate out despite getting a hand to Bowen and Benrahma’s strikes.

Liverpool will now fancy their chances of winning the League Cup for the first time in nine years, but had to overcome a poor start to win 2-0 at Preston.

The Reds had scored 30 goals in eight previous away games this season, but a much-changed side from Jurgen Klopp failed to hit the heights of Sunday’s famous 5-0 win at Manchester United.

Preston had by far the better of the first-half as Adrian made a point-blank save from Sean Maguire, Neco Williams cleared off the line and Brad Potts fired over within a matter of seconds.

Liverpool were clinical as they went in front with their first shot on target just after the hour mark as Williams’ cross was acrobatically flicked home by Takumi Minamino.

Klopp’s men then controlled the final half hour and doubled their lead in spectacular fashion when Divock Origi’s backheel dinked the ball over Delcan Rudd.

Tottenham’s bid for a first trophy since they last won the League Cup in 2008 remains on course as Nuno Espirito Santo was rewarded for naming a strong side with a 1-0 win at Burnley.

Lucas Moura scored the only goal 22 minutes from time with a powerful downward header from Emerson Royale’s cross.

Leicester also needed penalties to see off Brighton after an entertaining game ended 2-2.

The Foxes twice pounced on Brighton gifting possession away in dangerous areas to take the lead through Harvey Barnes and Ademola Lookman in the first-half.

Adam Webster and Enock Mwepu levelled for the Seagulls, but Mwepu and Neal Maupay failed to beat Danny Ward from the spot.

Brentford reached the last eight for the second consecutive season with a 2-1 win at Stoke thanks to first-half goals from Sergi Canos and Ivan Toney.

The Eagles will not play Liberia in Monrovia in November because of a CAF ban on the earlier scheduled venue.

n the next round of qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup, Liberia have gotten permission to host their Nigerian opponents in Morocco instead of the earlier designated Liberian venue of SKD Sports Stadium in Monrovia.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Liberia’s Lone Star on November 11 and then host the Cape Verde on November 14. “Following CAF’s decision to maintain the ban on the SKD Sports Stadium as the facility still does not fully meet the set CAF stadium minimum requirements, the Kingdom of Morocco has granted Liberia the use of one of its stadiums, Grand Stade de Tanger for the Lone Star’s remaining two matches in the 2022 Qatar World Cup Qualifiers.”

The Eagles got a hard-fought 2-0 win over the Lone Star on September 3 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos and lead Group C with nine points from four matches-two points better off than the Crocodiles of Cape Verde, who they host on November 14.

“Following CAF’s re-inspection visit to the facility from October 15 to 17-a visit that was initially scheduled for September 12 to 13-CAF on October 20, informed the LFA that based on the inspection report, they (CAF) “regret to inform you that the stadium still does not fully meet the set CAF stadium minimum requirements and consequently will not be approved for the qualifying matches of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matchday 5 & 6.”

The Grand Stade de Tanger is a 45,000-seater stadium and is located in Tangier.

The move came is hinged on CAF’s decision on SKD Sports Stadium being not up to the required standard. “We would like to point out that among other stadium requirements; one of the main concerns in the stadium is the pitch in the field of play, which is not up to the required level to host CAF/FIFA matches.

“As a technical recommendation, the stadium management should consider removing the pitch altogether and installing a new one, while hiring in a professional company to conduct a full assessment of the ground and subsequently assist with the maintenance of the pitch,” CAF said in its communication.

The Eagles will hope to do the business against the Liberians on the lush Grand Stade de Tanger to book their slot in the last set of CAF qualifiers that will hold in March 2022.

Football lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (Ifab), have recommended five substitutions are implemented permanently in the sport, reports BBC.

The rule was first introduced in May 2020 – a month before football restarted after being paused because of the Covid-19 pandemic.The Premier League voted against its continuation in the 2020-21 season. Individual football leagues and competitions will be able to decide whether or not to implement the rules.

The decision follows a meeting chaired by FIFA, yesterday, involving Ifab’s Football and Technical Advisory Panels. In a statement, Ifab said: “FAP-TAP today recommended that competitions should be able to decide on increasing the number of substitutes according to the needs of their football environment, while the current number of substitution opportunities (three plus half-time) should stay the same.”

The lawmakers said it follows “a number of requests from confederations, associations, leagues and other key stakeholders for this option to be introduced permanently.”

Many Premier League sides are believed to have felt having five subs would unfairly benefit major clubs with stronger squads. However, some leading managers, including Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, have previously said the limit on changes has contributed to injury problems.

Ronald Koeman has been sacked as coach of Barcelona, the club announced on Wednesday, with former midfielder Xavi Hernandez the favourite to replace him.

Koeman was dismissed after a 1-0 defeat by Rayo Vallecano left the team sitting ninth in La Liga.

Barca have won only two of their last seven league games under Koeman, a run that included losing to Real Madrid in Sunday’s Clasico at Camp Nou.

A poor start to the season has raised the possibility of the team failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League, which would have enormous consequences for the club’s already dire financial situation.

Xavi, who is currently in charge of Qatari club Al Sadd, is considered Koeman’s most likely successor.

Barcelona B coach Sergi Barjuan could take charge of the first team on an interim basis, with games against Alaves, Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League, and Celta Vigo to come before the next international break.

River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo and Ajax’s Erik ten Hag have also been linked with Barcelona but might be reluctant to leave their respective posts mid-season.

A club statement released after midnight in Spain on Wednesday read: “FC Barcelona has relieved Ronald Koeman of his duties as first team coach.

“The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano. Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva.

“FC Barcelona wishes to thank him for his service to the Club and wishes him all the best in his professional career.”

Koeman spent six years at Barcelona as a player and is considered a club legend after scoring the winning goal in the 1992 European Cup final against Sampdoria.

He was appointed coach by Barca’s previous president Josep Maria Bartomeu in August 2020 and enjoyed some success in his first season, winning the Copa del Rey and bringing a disillusioned Lionel Messi back onside.

But a disappointing finish in La Liga and a convincing defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 cast doubt over Koeman’s ability to navigate the biggest games, a criticism that was aimed at him again last weekend following the loss to Real Madrid.

1.35 billion euros debt

Laporta was re-elected as president in March and while he allowed Koeman to continue as coach this season, there was never much trust between the pair.

Laporta told Koeman in the summer he wanted two weeks to look for a replacement while Koeman reacted badly last month to Laporta suggesting coaches do not have all the power.

“He spoke too much,” Koeman said.

No replacement was found or could be persuaded to take over, perhaps in part because of Barcelona’s perilous financial problems.

The club is 1.35 billion euros in debt and had to watch Messi join PSG in August after failing to renew the Argentinian’s contract.

Other key players like Antoine Griezmann also departed without being adequately replaced as Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay both arrived on free transfers and Luuk de Jong came from Sevilla on loan.

“The team has lost balance in the squad, lost very effective players, which shows,” said Koeman after his last game in charge against Rayo. “In recent years other clubs have strengthened every season and we haven’t, which also shows.”

Koeman’s honest approach was largely accepted and even appreciated last season but his downbeat assessment of his squad this term was seen by many as counter-productive and not befitting of a Barcelona coach.

Youngsters like Pedri, Gavi, Nico Gonzalez, Sergino Dest and Ronald Araujo have all benefitted from Koeman’s faith but more established players have suffered a drop in form.

Frenkie de Jong, who knew Koeman from his time in charge of the Dutch national team, has endured a particularly disappointing few weeks.

There was criticism of Koeman’s style of play, which became increasingly direct, while the board were reportedly irritated by his straying from the club’s traditions of playing 4-3-3.

But results were the key factor, as consecutive 3-0 defeats by Bayern Munich and Benfica in the Champions League were followed by losses against both Atletico and Real Madrid in the league.

Laporta said before the international break Koeman “deserved the benefit of the doubt”, moving to end speculation that he would lose his job after the defeat by Atletico.

But faced with an early exit in the Champions League and the possibility of failing to make the top four in La Liga, Laporta, who was at Vallecas on Wednesday night, decided to act.

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, yesterday, swore-in Super Eagles’ former midfielder, Karibe Ojigwe, as the state’s new commissioner for sports. Ojigwe was one of the 27 commissioners that took the oath of office in Umuahia.

While swearing in the 44-year-old Ojigwe and his colleagues, Ikpeazu said the new commissioners were selected to support and better the lives of Abia State residents.

He advised the commissioners to see their appointment as a call of duty while warning that anyone thinking of taking advantage of the position for personal benefit would be “disappointed”.

The ceremony followed after the screening and confirmation of the commissioner-nominees by the state’s House of Assembly. Ojigwe from Item, Bende Local Council, was born in Aba on December 11, 1976.

A member of the FIFA U-17 World Cup winning team assembled by Coach Fanny Amun in 1993, Ojigwe began his career with Enyimba before moving to Europe after the FIFA cadet tournament in Japan.

He joined FC Kaiserslautern of Germany in 1995 before moving to Koln FC on loan in the 1999/2000 season. After a return of form with the Bundesliga 2 side, Ojigwe refused to return to his parent club and instead moved to Champions League participant Bayer 04 Leverkusen for a transfer fee of about €1.75 million.

At Leverkusen, he was part of the squad that narrowly lost the 2001/2002 UEFA Champions League final to Real Madrid in Glasgow. At senior international level, Ojigwe, who made 17 appearances for the Super Eagles, featured at the Mali 2002 African Cup of Nations in which Nigeria won the bronze medal.