Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sent out a clear message to Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira are both were omitted from the matchday squad for the 3-0 win over Watford.
Much to the frustration of United fans, the pair have been incredibly underwhelming yet have regularly been picked this season.
But after poor displays in the 1-1 draw with Club Brugge on Thursday night, Solskjaer displayed some ruthlessness in deciding to drop the duo for Sunday's game at Old Trafford.
And he's told MUTV that both players that need to start performing or else they will continue to be overlooked.
:speaking_head:"There's more and more competition for places. Your standard has to improve."
- Reppin' Utd:japanese_ogre: (@ReppinUnited) February 23, 2020
- Ole Gunnar Solskjær on Lingard/Pereira... :eyes:#MUFC pic.twitter.com/4lwZErOGdn
Solskjær on Pereira and Lingard: "There's more and more competition for places. Your standard has to improve." #mulive [mu]
- utdreport (@utdreport) February 23, 2020
Solskjaer's comments come after new signing Bruno Fernandes produced another impressive Man of the Match display in the No.10 role for the Red Devils.
He opened the scoring with his first goal for the club from a penalty that he won and also laid on a second assist in a red shirt when he set up Mason Greenwood's 11th strike of the season in the second half.
Bruno Fernandes' game by numbers vs. Watford:
- Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 23, 2020
100% take-ons completed
100% tackles won
85 touches
71% pass accuracy
5 open play crosses
4 chances created
3 take-ons completed
3 fouls won
3 shots
1 penalty won
1 assist
1 goal
He's arrived. :boom: pic.twitter.com/ubk85TbcjR
And this manager paid the former Sporting midfielder a big compliment post-match when he said he was a blend of two of his former United teammates.
"He felt like a presence in the group from the first minute, a bit of a mix between Scholes and Veron - the temperament of Veron and a lot of the quality of Scholesy," Solskjaer said, as per BBC Sport.
"The fans are used to players with that personality, mentality and quality. We have got the number 10 position nailed down now. He is a big piece of what we are trying to put together.
"In today's market, I think we got a good deal. He has given everyone a boost."
Topics: Bruno Fernandes, Football News, Football, Andreas Pereira, Jesse Lingard
