Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has explained his selection choices ahead of tonight’s important Premier League fixture against Newcastle United.
Solskjaer finds himself under early pressure after his side lost two of their first three domestic matches including a 6-1 thumping against Spurs last time out.
Ahead of tonight’s game, Solskjaer named a very bizarre starting line-up which included the out of form Harry Maguire as well as continuing to bench new-signing Donny van de Beek.
Elsewhere, teenage sensation Mason Greenwood couldn’t even get a spot on the bench.
OFFICIAL: Here is your confirmed #mufc line-up vs Newcastle United for tonight’s important Premier League match! 💥
I am going to ask what you think and then run for cover 😬#mufc #mulive #newmun pic.twitter.com/yLCQ08qwLq
— StrettyNews.com (@StrettyNews) October 17, 2020
In light of Solskjaer’s team selection, fans have been left baffled by tonight’s starting 11.
Speculation surrounding Solskjaer’s long-term United future has intensified this week after a recent report from The Mirror claims executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward was preparing to show the Norwegian the door if he cannot turn the Reds’ on-field fortunes around.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s game to ManUtd.com Solskjaer has addressed concerns over his team selection, the Norwegian said: “We want a response, of course.
“We want energy and attitude. We want lads who fight as a team, play as a team, both on and off the ball.
“We have to be more compact, we’ve got to put pressure on the ball, we can’t give them time on the ball because they’ve got players who can hurt you.
“When we’ve got it, we need to get tempo on the ball and play as a team as well.”
Solskjaer went onto explain his decision behind changing the Reds’ midfield which includes leaving out Paul Pogba, he said: “Definitely [McTominay and Fred’s energy], Scott and Fred are one of the partnerships we’ve used. They’ve done well together.
“They’ve both got great athleticism, get around the pitch and that’s one of the things we need to improve on is that we have a screen in front of the back-four because I thought last time we were a bit too open.”
Solskjaer will be desperate to get back to winning ways tonight after seeing arch-rivals Manchester City beat Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal 1-0 earlier this evening.
Read more: Loads of Man United fans react to confirmed line-up against Newcastle United
get rid of glazer n Edward before they get rid of ole they keep getting rid of manager what about the glazer more money for them you call that fair