Gary Neville publicly refuses to back Ferdinand's disputed Solskjaer stance

Gary Neville reiterates that he will not get involved in the debate over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's future after Rio Ferdinand admitted Manchester United should sack him.

The former Red Devils full-back has publicly stated he will not give his opinion on the matter due to his personal relationship with the Norwegian.

Ferdinand has previously also distanced himself from the subject, but finally conceded it was time for Solskjaer to 'hand over the baton' following their 2-0 defeat by Manchester City.

Man United fans praised the ex-United centre-half for his honesty and had hoped Neville would follow suit.

@ UtdFaithfuls tweeted: "Nice to see Rio finally come out and say this and NO, he DIDN'T betray his mate Solskjaer. Just an honest opinion about what's best for Man Utd. Well done Rio Ferdinand and when are you throwing in the towel, Gary Neville."

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But the Sky Sports pundit insists his stance will not change.

Neville replied: "Never. Thank you for asking though."

Ferdinand admitted it could be time for change at Old Trafford, but insists Solskjaer would leave with his head held high.

He said on his Five with Vibe podcast: "We started this season with such hope but also the transfer window that we had, the excitement, we were all sitting there going 'this is our time now.

Ole was brought in to get us to that point. He was brought in to get the squad intact, get the players in to make us challenge for the league.

"I sit here now and I don't think we can challenge for this league. I look at our team every week wondering what are we gonna do tactically?

"I don't see any philosophy or identity in the Man United way of playing whatever that should be from the management. I sit here looking confused at the team.

"I was always deep down a bit sceptical, could he take us on to be champions? I wasn't fully convinced - I wasn't sure he could do that.

"But the showing with the squad that he accumulated, to the beginning of this season - and what I've seen this season - I just feel it might be about the time now for the baton to be handed over to somebody else who can take us on now.

"And I think Ole would leave now with his head held high because from when he came in to where he got us at the beginning of the season I think it's been positive."