Ole’s fury at extra rest for Chelsea
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER believes it is unfair that Chelsea have 48 hours longer than Manchester United to prepare for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final. United face Crystal Palace in the Premier League at Selhurst Park tonight less than three days before the Wembley clash, while Chelsea will have had five days’ rest from their win over Norwich on Tuesday. ‘It’s not fair,’ said Solskjaer. ‘There is a concern they will have had 48 hours more rest and recovery than us. We spoke about a fair scheduling going into this restart and, of course, it isn’t. ‘We’ve not been handed four aces, to put it that way. We’re going to have to put on a poker face and play the cards well. ‘I have to think about the game against Palace, focus on winning that one and then pick up the pieces after that. The team selection is based on Thursday. Sunday is irrelevant.’ After naming the same line-up for the last five league games, Solskjaer must decide whether to risk Luke Shaw and Mason
Greenwood, who sustained ankle injuries in Monday’s 2-2 draw with Southampton. Greenwood is suffering the effects of a late challenge from midfielder Oriol Romeu that Solskjaer thought warranted a red card. Brandon Williams should be available to replace Shaw if needed after having stitches in a head wound that forced him off. United will also monitor Paul Pogba’s condition over concerns he has been playing too much since recovering from a long-term ankle injury. ‘I’ve been speaking more or less every day with Paul,’ said Solskjaer. ‘He knows he wouldn’t be dropped but he’s been out for a long time and we have to see how he is.’ Meanwhile, United are looking into claims that young first-team squad members James Garner, Ethan Laird and Teden Mengi attended a football tournament in Trafford on Tuesday that broke the Government’s coronavirus guidelines.