DONNY SULK OR ELSE
Solskjaer warns fringe men
MAN U v EVERTON TODAY, 12.30PM, BT SPORT 1
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has warned he will not tolerate sulkers in his Manchester United squad after Donny van de Beek’s midweek outburst.
Midfielder van de Beek could not hide his anger at being overlooked once again as United beat Villarreal 2-1 in the Champions League.
After realising he would not be coming off the bench, van de Beek showed his frustration by hurling his chewing gum into the technical area in anger.
The Dutchman, who has made just four Premier League starts since his £35million move from Ajax, was consoled by fellow subs Eric Bailly and Dean Henderson.
Solskjaer warned he will not tolerate those who put their own interests ahead of those of the team, but denied van de Beek had been frozen out by him.
He said: “I’ve got a squad of internationals and if we’re going to be successful we need positive energy, no sulkers.
“Donny has never affected his teammates negatively.
“As soon as I see players affecting the team negatively, that’s a different scenario and I’ll probably be firmer.
“I’ve been a sub more than anyone in this club. I must have the record for appearances as a sub, and you have to be ready all the time.
“I’ve been unhappy a few times and I understand the frustration, but Donny knows he’s not frozen out.
“I have got plenty of players who don’t play every week, so I don’t have any issues with Donny at all.
“He knows exactly what he needs to work on, what we want him to work on and he has never let his mood affect his team-mates negatively.”