Solskjaer says Man United schedule makes it impossible to go 'full out'

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says it is "impossible'' as he needs to make changes to balance player welfare and priorities in a congested week of fixtures.

Author: Tom DambachPublished 10th May 2021

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would love to go full throttle against Leicester but says it is "impossible'' as he needs to make changes to balance player welfare and priorities at the midway point of Manchester United's five-day triple-header.

Having sealed their place in the Europa League final on Thursday, the Red Devils came from behind to win 3-1 at Aston Villa on Sunday to wrap up back-to-back top-four finishes for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

That result delayed Manchester City's coronation as Premier League champions and Solskjaer's side have the chance to cut the gap to the leaders to four points by the time their neighbours next line-up.

There remains the faintest chance of a change at the top but the Norwegian is ready to field a weakened side against top-four hopefuls Leicester on Tuesday with the rearranged clash with rivals Liverpool coming on Thursday.

Asked if the fact United can technically still win the league complicates his selection this week, Solskjaer said: "Well, I wish I could have said 'let's go full out in all the games' but it's impossible.

"That's the hard bit for me knowing that if I do play these 11 again on Tuesday and Thursday, it's impossible. I run too much of a risk of injuring them.

"So, talking about integrity in the league and stuff, don't blame me when I have to make changes because I have to. It's not safe for them to play all four so I have got to prioritise.

"Changes? I don't know. We'll sit down with the sports scientists (on Sunday).

"We can have a theoretical team now but we'll have to see how they react when they come in (Monday), when they come in Tuesday morning and pick a team Tuesday afternoon.''

It is an unenviable position for Solskjaer, who is sweating on the results of the scans on Harry Maguire's ankle injury ahead of a match when the United boss is ready turn to young players.