Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's unwanted Man Utd blow has actually given him easy get out

You never really know which way is up with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United.

One minute, he's clinging to his job for dear life, the next he's in the clear.

But while the Norwegian looks safe in the United hot-seat for the time being, it's apparent he can ill-afford any more slip ups.

He had Cristiano Ronaldo to thank for salvaging a point when all looked lost following another sub-standard performance away at Atalanta.

The gloss of Saturday's win over Tottenham - which may well have kept him in his post - had quickly rubbed off after twice falling behind to their Italian counterparts in Tuesday's Champions League tie.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is facing another make-or-break fixture on Saturday ( Image:

REUTERS)

Yet Ronaldo was not the only hero on a poor night's work for United, as Atalanta also found an inspired and outstanding Eric Bailly in their way.

The Ivorian defender was simply everywhere - in a good sense; which is less than can be said for some of his fellow colleagues in United's back line this season.

Bailly was only in the starting XI due to the absence of Victor Lindelof through injury, but performed superbly to stake his claim and remind fans just why United forked out £30million for him more than five years ago.

It's not been the experience he would have wanted at Old Trafford in the meantime, and with Raphael Varane coming through the door this summer, Bailly slipped further down Solskjaer's pecking order to become United's fourth choice centre-back.

But is he actually?

His display against Atalanta was arguably better than anything we've seen from Lindelof in recent memory. And the form of Harry Maguire since returning from injury has left little to be desired.

It's clear, really, that Maguire could do with some time out to get fully up to speed fitness-wise, rather than perform when not at optimum condition.

Solskjaer doesn't have the breathing space to rest his captain during his time of need. But he certainly can't afford him to be off the pace either.

Eric Bailly was excellent for United against Atalanta

By reverting to a back three in each of their last two fixtures, he is seemingly aware United need some extra reinforcements to cover their defensive frailties.

It worked against Tottenham, though failed to make much of a difference against Atalanta, who were a goal up before Solskjaer was forced to change system to a 4-3-3 due to Varane's injury.

The Frenchman is now ruled out for up to four weeks in what is probably one of the worst blows Solskjaer could have received at this time in his tenure.

United have conceded just seven goals in the nine matches Varane has played this season, but 14 goals in the five games without him.

Raphael Varane's injury is a huge blow for United ( Image:

Getty Images)

Facing up against Manchester City on Saturday has become an even more daunting prospect with him not available, but has inadvertently given Solskjaer an easy get out.

United's manager has few options but to revert to a four-man defence on Saturday, unless Lindelof recovers.

But even while a 3-5-2 could be accepted against their high-flying, free-flowing rivals, were Varane fit, it is not something the United fanbase would be too keen on Solskjaer persevering with going forward.

Harry Maguire is under increasing pressure to find his best form ( Image:

PETER POWELL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Fortunately for Solskjaer, he has managed to avoid the difficult scenario of having to choose between dropping his captain Maguire, or leaving out Bailly.

The latter is something which has caused issue previously, when Bailly confronted his manager and demanded to know why he wasn't playing while his team-mates in the same position were struggling so badly.

And support for Bailly from the rest of United's players was evident following the clash at Atalanta, with many praising him on social media.

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On recent form, it's hard to argue against a Varane and Bailly partnership being in United's best interests.

But for Solskjaer, who seems to prefer shying away from the tough calls rather than taking a hardline stance, has been given an easy get out, albeit with a frustrating caveat of not having Varane available.

So Maguire may perhaps feel he has got off lightly, and will be given ample opportunities to play his way back into form.

Though Solskjaer will be hoping that comes sooner, rather than later.