Former Arsenal star Ian Wright has voiced his bemusement at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to snub two Manchester United players.
Solskjaer is coming under increasing pressure for his position at Old Trafford, having gone four Premier League games without a win, culminating in Sunday’s humiliating 5-0 defeat at home to Liverpool.
The United boss has faced criticism for his tactical decisions and selections, with summer signing Jadon Sancho having been left on the bench for much of the season so far.
And he’s not the only player whose absence has raised eyebrows, with Paul Pogba having started on the bench at the weekend before being sent off just 15 minutes after coming on in the second half, while Donny van de Beek’s opportunities continue to be limited.
And Wright has joined the list of pundits questioning Solskjaer’s confusing calls, and in particular has criticised his seeming unwillingness to play Sancho and Jesse Lingard.
“I’m hearing that Harry Maguire’s not fit enough right now but he’s still playing when you’ve got Eric Bailly there,” Wright told The Ringer podcast.
“You’ve got Donny van de Beek. Jadon Sancho cost £70m, I know he maybe wasn’t fit at the start of the season.
“But that guy has been brought in to create chances and to play on the right-hand side, which doesn’t work anywhere near as effectively as the left.
“But he can’t get a game. Paul Pogba is still the highest assister in the Premier League, he can’t get a game.”
On Lingard, Wright added: “You think to yourself, ‘what the hell is going on and how long can this continue?’
“Jesse Lingard! How’s Jesse Lingard had a season like he had at West Ham and come back and now can’t get into that Manchester United team?
“He’s one of the best pressers you will see, the man’s killing it for England and killing it for West Ham. Come on man!”
