OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has warned there is no time to fight as Manchester United look to revive their season.
After a humiliating 5-0 loss to Liverpool left Solskjaer fighting for his job, he was badly forced to turn things around on their trip to Tottenham.
3
He did, changing to the 3-5-2 method and appointing his older team as United coach, with Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, and Edison Cavani, 34, both scoring in the 3-0 win.
It saw Nuno Espirito Santo sacked instead, as Solskjaer’s gamble on field experience paid off for the youngsters.
But the Norwegian club legend urged the frustrated United players not to drag the squad down as appearance alters their fortunes.
“When you’re in a place like this, we have a lot of players and we don’t have time for anyone to mess with it or not give energy to the team,” Solskjaer said.
If you are not in the starting lineup, you are there to support your teammates. Come and do your best when you come.
“If you don’t come, what is the single most important thing you can do to help the team? And the attitude was consistent.
“Yes, I understand that players want to play and no one is happy when they don’t play.
“But the morale of the team was really good and it has to be really good.
“We can’t have played one game now and then everyone thinks to themselves, it’s a team before anyone.”
Mason Greenwood, 20, Marcus Rashford, 24, and Jadon Sancho, 21, were among those disqualified against Spurs.
Paul Pogba, 28, will have a battle on his hands to regain his place in the starting line-up once the red card suspension expires.
Feelings for Donny van de Beek extended in September after he was left on the bench against Villarreal.
When you are in a place like this we have a lot of players and we don’t have time for anyone to cheat or not give energy to the team.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
The 24-year-old midfielder threw gum at the technical area, but Solskjaer later sympathized with Dutchman Van de Beek.
And after abandoning his usual 4-2-3-1 squad at Tottenham, with the regulars withdrawing, the manager praised his team’s reaction.
Solskjaer said: “When you have a fully fit team at Manchester United, there will always be high-quality players who are not playing.
“That’s what’s been happening lately. Some players have had to settle for a place on the bench and you have to take your chances when you get them.
“I can’t blame the situation and the motivation has to come from within as well. That will always happen at Man United.
“Players go through tough times when they don’t play and that’s when their character is revealed, and I’m happy with most of my characters.”
3
3
