Gary Neville has questioned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to make so many changes on Sunday against Leicester City.
United started with their two best players this season on the bench in the FA Cup defeat to the Foxes, with Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw not brought on until the hour mark.
Unfortunately, it was the case of being outclassed at the King Power Stadium.
Brendan Rodgers’ side wanted it more and it showed. The Northern Ireland coach will want to win Leicester City’s first FA Cup this season and we wish them well.
Hopefully the FA Cup helps take their eye off second place in the Premier League because we will need to secure that this season.
Gary Neville reflected on a good week that ended on a sour note for United.
“Been a good week, not surprising they got to Milan and do what they did because they are good away from home,” he said on The Gary Neville Podcast.
“Beating West Ham last week, and then I’m surprised that the team has been rotated so much.
“I know he has been doing that, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but this was a real chance. You think about the semi-final draw that occurred at half time in that game, which meant the winner played Southampton.”
Everyone that watched the draw probably thought it would give the players momentum for the second half. No offence to Saints fans reading these (I doubt there’s many) but Leicester City should be making the final now.
Neville believes United could have laid a marker down in the FA Cup this season.
He added: “It’s not a gimmie against Southampton in the semi-final by any stretch of the imagination but what an opportunity. And I do believe that group of players need to win a trophy under Solskjaer.
“Yes, of course, finishing second would be the priority at the start of the season and winning a trophy will now be the priority with that, they only have the Europa League left but that was a real good one today.
“They have a decent record at Leicester and I was in the car listening to the game, get back from behind and think ‘here we go’ not surprised with United away from home – but then that second and third goal goes in and it’s a massive missed opportunity.
“I am demoralised a little bit tonight as a United fan because I do feel that was a really good one to go for this season.
“And if you want to catch Manchester City, you’ve got to beat them. Got to beat them in the big game and a big competition.
“You can’t rely on other teams to stop them if you are the second best team in the country. If you have a half decent record against City, which United under Solskjaer have, then you’ve got to be the ones to stop them.”
Read more: Man United player ratings: Fred awful as Reds crash out of FA Cup against Leicester
OLE got it badly wrong with his selection against the FOXES,played his B”team and thats a major worry, why break up a side that beat MILAN? OLE thought his side would beat Leicester and it wouldnt be that much of a task.It Backfired pretty quick with FRED up to his usual casual football tricks and MATIC and Co in 2nd gear, we didnt even show up TBH and thats just not UTD !