Gary Neville believes that Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer “doesn’t trust” three of his midfield players after their thumping defeat to Liverpool.
Solskjaer opted to name an unchanged line-up against Liverpool from the one that made a sensational 3-2 comeback win against Atalanta in the Champions League.
However, United were carved apart by the Reds on Sunday as Naby Keita and Diogo Jota put Liverpool 2-0 up inside the first 15 minutes at Old Trafford.
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The in-form Mohamed Salah scored a brace before half-time before completing his hat-trick five minutes after the start of the second half.
United’s woes continued as Paul Pogba, who came off the bench to replace Mason Greenwood, was sent off in the 60th minute for a reckless challenge on Keita.
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Solskjaer chose to pair Scott McTominay alongside Fred in midfield, with Bruno Fernandes, Greenwood and Marcus Rashford playing behind Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Speaking after the 5-0 thrashing to Liverpool, Neville suggested that the United manager “trusts” McTominay and Fred.
But the United legend claimed that it means Solskjaer doesn’t trust Pogba, Donny van de Beek or Nemanja Matic.
“We know what Fred and McTominay give him, Ole trusts them,” Neville said on Sky Sports.
“It means that he doesn’t trust Paul Pogba, Van de Beek at this moment in time or Matic, who played at Leicester [City] last week.
“He still goes back to those two that have been the most reliable for him over the last two or three years.
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“The only thing I would say is obviously with all that talent on the bench that if you don’t win with these two in midfield, then where do you go from there?
“They were 2-1 down the other night when McTominay left the field and Pogba came on, so they still conceded chances.
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“I like McTominay and Fred, I just think they’re limited in terms of what they can offer Manchester United in terms of getting back where they need to be but it needs a bridge for today’s game.
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“I think in the longer term Ole’s going to have to prove that he can get Van de Beek, Pogba, [Jadon] Sancho, onto the pitch at the same time and manage these what would be world-class talented players that he’s signed.”
United are now seventh in the Premier League table and are eight points adrift from league leaders Chelsea.
Solskjaer is under mounting pressure after United’s humiliating defeat at Old Trafford, with former Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte linked with the club.
United will return to Premier League action on Saturday against Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Featured Image Credit: PA/Sky SportsTopics: Gary Neville, Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Paul Pogba, Donny van de Beek, Nemanja Matic, Premier League, England, Football