Man United pose tough challenge for Ole Solskjaer

Ole Solskjaer was confirmed as the new permanent manager of Manchester United on Thursday thanks to his excellent work previously as the temporary boss. However, before he can guide the Red Devils to revival, Solskjaer must deal with a bunch of the team's problems, starting with the imbalance between the staggering salaries and disappointing performances of certain players.

Of all 24 first-team players of Man United, five of them enjoy a weekly salary of over 200,000 pounds (about 261,880 U.S. dollars). Alexis Sanchez could be the Premier League's highest-paid player with 350,000 pounds (about 458,290 U.S. dollars) a week and that number could reach 500,000 (about 654,700 U.S. dollars) if bonuses were triggered. However, the Chilean winger only played 18 games (seven as starter) this season and scored one goal with three assists.

Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United gets paid 350,000 pounds (about 458,290 U.S. dollars) a week. /VCG Photo

Paul Pogba receives the second highest paycheck at 290,000 pounds (about 379,726 U.S. dollars) a week, followed by Anthony Martial's 250,000 (about 327,350 U.S. dollars) and David De Gea's and Romelu Lukaku's 200,000 pounds (about 261,880 U.S. dollars).

Are they worth the wages? Let's make a comparison. Sergio Aguero is paid the same amount as Martial and has scored a league-high 18 goals. Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah receive 200,000 pounds (about 261,880 U.S. dollars) like Lukaku but both of them have scored 17 goals. Sadio Mane also has 17 goals under his name but his weekly salary is 180,000 pounds (about 235,692 U.S. dollars), lower than the above players.

By the way, Lukaku has scored the most goals for Man United, which is only 12.

Paul Pogba of Manchester United gets paid 290,000 pounds (about 379,726 U.S. dollars) a week. /VCG Photo

Thanks to his contract extension in October 2018, Luke Shaw could earn 195,000 pounds (about 255,333 U.S. dollars) a week, but know this, he almost left the team last season. Though Shaw got better this year with one goal and two assists, he's far from being called the best back of the Premier League.

Again, let's make a comparison. The league's No. 2 Manchester City has so far only lost 21 goals (Man United lost 40) and their starting backs include Benjamin Mendy (90,000 pounds, about 117,846 U.S. dollars) and Aymeric Laporte (65,000 pounds, about 85,111 U.S. dollars). No. 1 team Liverpool has only lost 18 goals when their defense is led by Andrew Robertson (60,000 pounds, about 78,564 U.S. dollars) and Virgil van Dijk (180,000 pounds, about 235,692 U.S. dollars).

Anthony Martial of Manchester United gets paid 250,000 pounds (about 327,350 U.S. dollars) a week. /VCG Photo

Man United's wage list continues to be intimidating: Fred, who cost the club 52 million pounds (about 68 million U.S. dollars) for transfer, did not earn a starting position but received 120,000 pounds (about 157,128 U.S. dollars) a week. Marcos Rojo only played two games but was still paid 80,000 pounds (about 104,752 U.S. dollars) every week. Matteo Damian has been on the shelf for years but that did not stop him from getting 60,000 pounds (about 78,564 U.S. dollars) a week.

As a matter of fact, Man United's wage structure began to grow abnormally when Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. During this period of time, the club offered too many ridiculous salaries to Angel Di Maria, Falcao, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and others. It took six years for this tumor to grow into today's size, Solskjaer needs patience to cut it piece by piece and he cannot work alone.