Man Utd trio have stopped playing for Solskjaer, claims pundit

Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Daniel James have stopped trying their best for Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, pundit Jamie O’Hara has suggested.

The Norwegian is under huge pressure at Old Trafford after Sunday’s home draw against Aston Villa left the struggling Red Devils ninth in the Premier League, eight points off the top four and a whopping 22 adrift off bitter rivals Liverpool, leading to reports that he has told his players he could be sacked in the wake of a defeat against Tottenham on Wednesday night.

And while Solskjaer has denied those reports and that he feels under immediate pressure of the sack, he could have a another problem on his hands following O’Hara’s claims.

Gary Neville accused the trio of being an “absolute joke” before their comeback against Sheffield United in the 3-3 draw at Bramall Lane late last month.

And O’Hara holds a similar view to Neville but took it a step further by claiming they aren’t “putting everything in” for Solskjaer.

O’Hara told Sky Sports’ The Debate on Monday night: “I watched the Sheffield United game the other night and I know they got back into it, but the front three were a joke. I mean they were a joke. They didn’t move, they didn’t run for the first 45 minutes.

“It was only when the Sheffield United forward [Lys Mousset] came off that they got back in the game. For me I’m looking at Rashford, Martial, Daniel James and I’m thinking ‘are you really working for this guy? Are you really putting everything in for him?’

“For me it doesn’t look like that. I think if Pochettino comes in then you’ll see different.”

To which fellow pundit Paul Merson responded: “Three kids like that are three kids, let’s be honest. If you’re seeing that then that would worry me. That would worry me.”

O’Hara then asked Merson: “Did you not see them the other night against Sheffield United?”

Merson added: “Sometimes the thing is with these kids, and they are kids, it’s a big ask. You’re playing for the biggest club in the world, you’re not playing well, confidence is low, it’s a horrible thing confidence.

“For the life of me I couldn’t even contemplate them not trying. I wouldn’t even contemplate that with those three players.

“I just think they had one of those games. I don’t think they would be sitting in the dressing room going ‘nahh I’m not trying for the manager.’”