BLAME ME FOR INJURIES
Survival of the fittest culture has burnt out my players, admits Ole
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted the physical demands he imposes on Manchester United’s stars have contributed to a spate of muscle problems.
United have an injury crisis ahead of tonight’s match at Crystal Palace, with up to nine players unavailable. Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and Jesse Lingard were forced off before half- time in Sunday’s draw against Liverpool with hamstring issues.
Solskjaer conceded Lingard, who had replaced Mata off the bench, probably returned from a previous hamstring problem too early.
The interim manager did claim, however, that the intensity of his team needed improving and injuries are a by-product. They are averaging 10 more sprints per match under Solskjaer than under Jose Mourinho. ‘ It’s probably linked, yes, because when do you make that change?’ Solskjaer said. ‘Do you wait until pre-season and think you will change results by just not asking them to run? Or do we start now and show them what the demands are?
‘We need to play as a Manchester United team and if you want to be a part of United, it is survival of the fittest.
‘Some are getting older, aren’t they? Juan, Ander, Nemanja ( Matic). But it’s not just us. Manchester City have a couple of muscle injuries.’
Herrera could miss the best part of a month and Scott McTominay is set to start in midfield at Selhurst Park tonight in Matic’s absence.
Academy trio Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong and James Garner have travelled with the squad.
Romelu Lukaku will lead the line. Solskjaer agrees with the striker that he needs to shed muscle to influence their quest for a top-four finish and FA Cup glory — and put that down to the World Cup campaign with Belgium.
‘Muscle is not so difficult to get rid of,’ Solskjaer added. ‘He’s lean, but he’s muscly. I can understand why (Lukaku bulked up). When you go to a World Cup and you see the teams you play, it might be that his physicality took over that part of his preparation.
‘We ask our forwards to work at a higher intensity, run in behind. But that’s what Rom likes, so he’ll be fine.’
Solskjaer also indicated he has seen an increased professionalism in the squad. ‘It’s not just playing, training and then going home to do these little out- of-football activities that we’ve all seen too many footballers doing,’ he said.
‘I’m pleased with the way my lads responded, that we don’t see too much of them outside football. That was a big part of my career — as long as you’re a Premier League footballer, make the most of it, because suddenly you get these injuries and you’re done.’
Former United defender Gary Neville has suggested a player ‘mutiny’ would erupt if Solskjaer was not handed the job permanently. The Norwegian said: ‘The players will have a say in the way we play the rest of the season.
‘It’s not like I’m walking around and (going), “Come on!” Gary is known for his opinions and comments, so that’s his job.’