Man United players can no longer ‘pretend’

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told his players that they will no longer be able to “pretend” as he laid out his plan for the new year.

Solskjaer has led United to second place in the Premier League table, three points behind leaders Liverpool with one game less, following a nine-game unbeaten streak.

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Heading into 2021, they still have a chance to lift four trophies and Solskjaer has suggested that any player lacking in commitment will find themselves out in the cold, regardless of name or price.

“We have competition for places, which means you can’t go around and think that you can pretend to be part of this team,” Solskjaer said. “You only deserve to be on a team that you contribute to.

“I think everyone has realized that they have the privilege of being a part of Man United, such a fantastic club with a fantastic history. When you are here, enjoy it as much as you can and maybe experience some great moments.”

“You have winners like Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic. They don’t play every game, but they are very influential in the group and in the preparation of the matches and during the matches when they are not playing.”

Solskjaer has used 20 different players to navigate the grueling list of Christmas matches and the Norwegian is set to make more changes for the trip from Aston Villa to Old Trafford on Friday. The clash with Villa, which is fifth after a five-game unbeaten streak, is United’s last game in the Premier League until the trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on January 17.

“We have a strong team and we have rotated a lot,” Solskjaer said. “We haven’t really called it an established XI because I don’t think this season is going to be about that anyway.

“It’s going to be about the squad. It’s going to be about 25 players.” Players will have to be mad at me until the next time they play because, trust me, they are not happy when I tell them, ‘You’re starting on the bench. I think towards the end of the season that will help us. “

The clash with Villa will see Solskjaer face a player who has been eager to bring the club in Jack Grealish. The English international has already recorded five goals and six assists this season and was in top form the last time he played at Old Trafford, scoring a wonderful goal in a 2-2 draw a year ago.

“He’s an Aston Villa and England player who’s only gotten better,” Solskjaer said. “I don’t want to say much about other teams’ players but of course he is a player we know we have to look for.

“The goal he scored last season was a brilliant goal and we have faced him enough times to know that it is going to be a difficult match.”