Man Utd fans slammed for "celebrating mediocrity" amid Solskjaer banner plans

Manchester United fans have been slammed for "celebrating mediocrity" after it was reported they plan to hold up a banner paying tribute to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Thursday's clash with Arsenal.

Solskjaer was sacked as United boss just over a week ago, following a run of results that saw them suffer embarrassing defeats to Liverpool, Manchester City and Watford.

The Norwegian had been in charge for three years after replacing Jose Mourinho, having previously earned club-legend status during his time at Old Trafford as a player, in which he won six league titles.

Though he successfully stabilised the Red Devils following Mourinho's departure, Solskjaer was ultimately unable to return United to the top of the Premier League or even win a trophy.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Are United fans right to pay tribute to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a banner? Comment below.

Despite the at-times toxic end to his reign as United boss, Solskjaer is still held in high regard by many at Old Trafford.

And according to ESPN, some supporters are set to show their appreciation for their club's former manager during the visit of Arsenal this week.

It is stated that United have given permission for fans to display an enormous banner in the Stretford End on Thursday night.

The clash with the Gunners is United's first home game since Solskjaer's exit and is also the first game since Ralf Rangnick was appointed as his interim replacement.

But former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan has blasted the decision to pay tribute to the Norwegian.

Solskjaer gave an emotional interview to United's in-house TV channel after his exit, with Jordan insisting that interview was all that is needed to signify the end of his era.

"It's sickening, saccharine tosh. It's sentimentality over fact. You've just trodden water for three years," Jordan told talkSPORT when asked about the decision to hold up the banner.

"Three years of your life you will not get back, three years wasted while your rivals have disappeared further and further over the horizon.

"He's got his reward. He did his interview where we all got our handkerchiefs out and we're all so pleased that he made so many friends and he reignited so many acquittances.

"He's travelling off somewhere with a big bag of money that you guys have helped pay for."

Jordan went on to claim that the banner was inconsistent with the desire of United to be a winning club, labelling the tribute as "celebrating mediocrity".

"With the best will in the world, Manchester United are a winning football club," Jordan added.

"The motivations behind Manchester United's desire is to win and you've just had three years of your life taken away from you by somebody who ultimately wasn't fit for purpose.

"Whilst I'm sure he's a charming individual with the best intentions in mind, running around celebrating mediocrity surely shouldn't be what Manchester United fans are all about."

Rangnick's work permit has not arrived in time for him to take charge of United, with caretaker Michael Carrick to lead the team for the third and final time.