Frustrated Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes yet ANOTHER swipe at TV bosses as he blasts lack of ‘common sense’ in giving Man United a 12.30pm kick-off – just two-and-a-half days after they beat Villarreal
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit out at TV bosses for United’s quick turnaround
- The Red Devils have been given just two-and-a-half days to prepare for Everton
- Liverpool and Man City play on Sunday, despite playing in Europe on Tuesday
- And Solskjaer said there was ‘no common sense’ in the decision of TV bosses
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit out at the decision to make Manchester United play Everton on Saturday lunchtime, only two and a half days after their Champions League win over Villarreal.
Solskjaer criticised the scheduling of the Old Trafford fixture in Saturday’s early slot after his team played in Europe on Wednesday — when Cristiano Ronaldo snatched a stoppage-time winner.
The United boss believes it would have made more sense to switch the game with Liverpool’s match against Manchester City which kicks off 28 hours later at 4.30pm on Sunday— giving those clubs a decent break since they were in Champions League action on Tuesday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit out at TV bosses for the decision to make United play on Saturday
Man United host Everton on Saturday lunchtime, just over two days after beating Villarreal
Solskjaer cited a similar scenario last November when United beat Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime despite travelling back from a midweek game in Turkey against Istanbul Basaksehir.
‘Absolutely no explanation — well, it’s TV,’ said the United manager. ‘No common sense at all. We had the same scenario last year in Turkey.
‘Us and Chelsea played Wednesday night. We could easily have played Sunday, with the Liverpool-City game on Saturday. Common sense might not be so common unfortunately. There was an announcement last season that from next season onwards this isn’t going to happen. I was surprised because if you are deciding that, why not start with it straightaway?
Solskjaer blasted TV bosses, saying there was ‘no common sense’ for the early fixture
‘Maybe that game was scheduled before the Champions League draw and that was the reason they didn’t want to move it.
‘I understand there is more to it than just moving a game but have some ice in your belly and reschedule it. Be calmer about it. It couldn’t be that difficult.’
Solskjaer must decide whether to freshen up United by utilising his squad, with Donny van de Beek among the fringe players who will be hoping for an opportunity.
The Dutchman has made only four Premier League starts since signing from Ajax 13 months ago and responded to being left on the bench against Villarreal by angrily throwing a piece of chewing gum into the technical area.
BT Sport had opened up a later kick off slot to accommodate teams playing on Wednesdays
Solskjaer said that he understands Van de Beek’s frustration but added: ‘I manage a squad full of competitive footballers. They all want to be on the pitch, of course they do. Donny was ready to come on, as all players should be.
‘I understand the frustration. Every player is keen to play and that has to be built into energy and determination for when you come on. Then show me. That is not just Donny, it is all the players.
‘We need positive energy. We can’t have energy sappers or sulkers.’
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