Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes some members of his squad need a “reality check” ahead of a pivotal few weeks for the club. A 3-0 humbling at the hands of Barcelona in midweek saw United knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, a defeat which also meant they have now lost five of their past seven matches.
United face a battle to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition next season but while Solskjaer is satisfied with the attitude of the majority of his squad, he delivered a remarkable broadside at others. Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Premier League visit to Everton on Sunday, the United manager said: “I’ve learned a lot about them over the months I’ve been here now.
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“You get to know them, most of them have really impressed me in their attitude and there are some that need to get a reality check on where they’re at. “When you’re out there, there is no hiding place, you can’t hide and everyone can see where your levels are at.
“We’re also working on training here with a fantastic staff I’ve got to create this culture that we want. “You’ve got players to take ownership of what’s happening here as well. But of course it’s the performances on the pitch which will determine where they’re at in their careers.
But most of them know they can improve if they keep working as they do.” One of those who attracted Solskjaer’s discontent is Anthony Martial, who signed a new five-year contract in January but has delivered a string of underwhelming performances in recent weeks.
The Norwegian added: “I’ve spoken to individuals and they know, and Anthony’s one of them, I’ve spoken to all of them individually what we expect from them. “Anthony’s got a massive talent, he’s signed a new contract, he knows that we believe in him so just keep on working. “I think anyone that plays for Manchester United has to deliver to stay in the squad and stay in the team. Anthony’s no different to (Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez) or the many forwards that we have to choose from.”
