Manchester United are under an hour away from kicking-off their second Premier League game away to Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Reds go into this afternoon’s game off the back of a crushing opening day Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace and will be desperately hoping to get back to winning ways when they face-off against Graham Potter’s impressive south coast outfit.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has recently confirmed his starting line-up to compete against the Seagulls which features 10 changes from the side who played against Luton Town in the Carabao Cup earlier this week.
However, the Reds’ starting line-up does include one surprise inclusion after the Norwegian gaffer has decided to stick with centre-back Victor Lindelof despite a string of poor performances.
OFFICIAL: Here is your confirmed #mufc line-up vs Brighton.
If nuclear war breaks out, I want to be next to Victor Lindelof, that man can withstand anything 👀 #mulive pic.twitter.com/KZ74ONlZ2I
— StrettyNews.com (@StrettyNews) September 26, 2020
Solskjaer opted to field flamboyant centre-back Eric Bailly over Lindelof against Luton Town during mid-week and after a decent display, fans were hopeful the Ivorian would get the nod over Lindelof this afternoon.
In light of Solskjaer’s decision to stick with the Swedish defender at Bailly’s expense, fans have taken to their social media to express their bemusement on the manager’s decision.
Victor Lindelöf was at fault for all 3 of the goals last week against Palace, and yet he still starts today? The way Ole was talking about Eric Bailly in the press conference yesterday, I thought he was going to start. Very disappointing, but let’s hope that it doesn’t backfire..
— Ryan. 🔴 (@Vintage_Utd) September 26, 2020
I didn’t understand the prospect of Eric Bailly playing two games in the same week — although he should be starting over Victor Lindelof — considering his injury history but Ole’s comments made it sound like he was definitely set to play today.
Weird.
— ً (@utdrobbo) September 26, 2020
As I mentioned:
Lindelöf is Solskjær’s CB up until Bailly can go a sustained period of time without injury. Ole knows Bailly has quality but a CB partnership is vital and Bailly is unreliable as of now.
Personally, I would’ve started him but I understand why he didn’t.
— UtdArena (@utdarena) September 26, 2020
Not sure what more Eric Bailly has to do to start and what more Victor Lindelof has to not do to be dropped, after his poor defending in wide areas cost Man Utd yet again against Crystal Palace. https://t.co/MNoruZBHsz
— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) September 26, 2020
Picking Lindelof is such a joke….How many more mistakes are we going to allow? That CB partnership is NEVER the future. Totally needed to buy a CB this summer if Bailly isn’t trusted
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) September 26, 2020
Everyone knows Lindelof – Maguire doesn’t & never will work so why do we keep using it. Bailly should be starting ffs
— Tom (@utdcynical) September 26, 2020
When Ole keeps praising Bailly in Pre Match conference then starts Lindelof instead: pic.twitter.com/TR7GSOix2R
— Mani Sra (@manisra47) September 26, 2020
I am surprised Bailly isn’t starting but today’s another opportunity for Lindelof. He needs to tuen up today at all costs. If he doesn’t, he’s losing his spot.
— The United Link 🏆 (@TheUnitedLink) September 26, 2020
Someone needs to take one for the team and lock the coach doors before Lindelof gets on, guaranteed Bailly starts then
— ‘ (@vintageredss) September 26, 2020
Thought Bailly would start based on Solskjær’s comments yesterday…
— ManUnitedMedia (@ManUnitedMedia) September 26, 2020
What does OGS has against Erick Bailly 🙅
— XANAX (@Willy_pi) September 26, 2020
There is a difference to being fit & match fit and bailly has a history of getting injured as soon as he gets back in, I think they’re making sure he’s strong enough personally
— David jh (@dtjh5) September 26, 2020
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Ogs is most stupid manager ever to Grace the epl how can he start lindelof ahead of Baily after the error committed by lindelof such a weak slow and less confident defender compare to Baily the Best in the squid someone needs to talk to ole he is going to lose his job if keep ons doing the kind thing to me this is racism