Roy Keane warns Manchester United failure to strengthen in transfer market could spell disaster for Solskjaer
Roy Keane believes a lack of transfer investment during the final week of the extended summer window could prove disastrous for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's prospects as Manchester United boss.
With just seven days to go until the market shuts for business once more, United have still made just one senior signing in the form of Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek, who arrived in a £35million deal from Ajax at the beginning of September.
The club's long-running pursuits of Borussia Dortmund's England forward Jadon Sancho and Porto left-back Alex Telles are well-documented, but it remains to be seen if any progress can be made with those deals ahead of the deadline with negotiations ongoing.
The lack of transfer activity has been compounded by a less-than-stellar start to the season from United, who were beaten at home by Crystal Palace and needed a dramatic stoppage-time penalty to overcome Brighton last week after being afforded a later opening to 2020-21 as a result of their run to last season's Europa League semi-finals in Germany.
Last season Solskjaer appeared to make real strides in the Old Trafford dugout, guiding United to a third-place finish on the final day plus three semi-finals across the cup competitions.
Asked if missing out on a top-four finish could cost the Norwegian his job, former team-mate and United legend Keane told Sky Sports' Monday Night Football programme: "Yeah, I think so.
"If you're the manager of Man United, and they can invest in the next week and buy one or two... if they don't invest in the next week, then it's tough days ahead."
Regarding Solskjaer's specific targets, Keane said: "The remit will be different for Ole this year.
"I think last year, it was about getting into the top four - I know they got to three semi-finals - but it will be higher this year.
"They will certainly have to get a bit closer to Liverpool and Manchester City. The points total cannot be the same as it has been over the past three or four years.
"Ole will probably have to get his hands on a trophy. I think the honeymoon period is certainly over for Ole, and the pressure starts to mount now, particularly with the performances like that over the last week or so."
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