Souness claims Solskjaer will have serious doubts about Man Utd defence

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Manchester United TEAMtalk

Graeme Souness says Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be questioning whether his defence is good enough to lead the club to silverware.

Writing in a column for The Times before Friday’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham, the pundit claimed United still have issues at the back.

Harry Maguire has impressed since his arrival last summer, with Victor Lindelof his preferred partner.

However, United have limited options behind the first-choice pair, amid speculation about Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo’s futures.

With Smalling and Rojo discounted, Axel Tuanzebe, Phil Jones and Eric Bailly are other options.

Souness wrote: “Luke Shaw has qualities at left back, but could still get himself leaner and meaner, while we’ll have to wait and see if Victor Lindelof will be Harry Maguire’s long-term partner at centre back.

“Maguire was always going to make a big difference. He’s not Virgil van Dijk, but he’s a good player.

“I reckon Solskjaer is still going to be looking at it and questioning some people, asking himself: “Are they going to win me the Premier League or the Champions League?”

 

ROY KEANE RANT AS SOLSKJAER RESPONDS

Harry Maguire Man Utd TEAMtalk

Meanwhile, Roy Keane heavily criticised Maguire and David de Gea for their involvement in Tottenham’s opener on Friday evening.

Spurs took the lead through Steven Bergwijn in the first half, with Maguire losing track of the Dutchman’s run.

Keane said: “I’m shocked. I’m shocked at that goal. I’ve watched a lot of football over the years but to give away that goal, I’m fuming here watching this game of football.

“I can’t believe Manchester United, I can’t believe Shaw heading the ball up in the air and then running forward.

“I am staggered at Maguire, staggered that an international player can just get done like this and I am sick to death of this goalkeeper.

“I would be fighting him at half time, there is no getting away from it. I would be swinging punches at that guy.”

 

Elsewhere, Paul Pogba had a fantastic impact off the bench in his first game back from injury.

He won the penalty from which Bruno Fernandes equalised in the second half.

Indeed, Solskjaer said he was delighted to have the Frenchman back, after a season hampered by foot injuries.

United’s next game sees them face Sheffield United on Wednesday.

Read more: Solskjaer responds to Roy Keane