Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tears into Manchester United players after humbling at Everton

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was unable to describe his team’s horrendous performance against Everton as they were thumped 4-0 at Goodison Park on Sunday.

United were completely outplayed by Marco Silva’s men as goals from Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson in the first half followed by Lucas Digne and Theo Walcott in the second rounded off a remarkable victory for the Toffees.

Manchester United have now lost six of their last eight matches in all competitions, since their miraculous 3-1 win at the Parc des Princes when Marcus Rashford’s last-minute penalty helped his team reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

That was probably Solskjaer’s highest moment as Manchester United manager as he was given the permanent job shortly after, but things have gone downhill from there. The loss at Everton was a significant blow for Manchester United in the top-four race as the Red Devils now sit in 6th position, with Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea all hungry for Champions League qualification.

United’s next two games are as tough as they can get with a title-hunting Manchester City and an in-form Chelsea side visiting Old Trafford this week. A top-four finish is very much in sight for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as his team are only three points off second-placed Spurs, but the Norwegian will need his team to sort themselves out before the two mammoth, season-defining encounters.

Arsenal surrendered a chance to go third on Sunday as they were beaten at home by Crystal Palace, whilst Tottenham lost narrowly away to neighbours City in the early kick-off on Saturday, giving United much-needed hope despite their beating at Merseyside. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, in the post-match conference, took to apologize to the travelling Manchester United supporters. “We have got to apologize to the fans because they were absolutely fantastic,” said the Norwegian.

“That performance is not good enough for a Manchester United team, from me to the players. We let the fans down. We let the club down. That performance is difficult to describe because it was so bad. We were beaten on all the ingredients you need, added to the talent. There is no place you can hide on the pitch. It was 85 minutes before we got a strike on target which is not good enough.”

The 46-year old was asked about his players’ mentality, to which his response was unconvincing. “I don’t know,” he said. “You have got to ask them. I have asked them. Of course if you want to play at this club it has to be more.”

“I want my team to be the hardest-working team in the league. That is what we were under Sir Alex. Giggs, Becks, Gary Neville, Denis. No matter how much talent you have got, you run more than anyone. You can’t change your whole squad. One step at a time.”

A highlight from his post-match conference, however, was the fact that he hinted a massive exodus at the club in the upcoming transfer window. “I am going to be successful here and there are players who won’t be part of that,” he claimed passionately.

The Norweigan manager will need to lift his team once again for the remaining four games, as he did in December, after Jose Mourinho was sacked in a tumultuous period at the club. A finish outside the top-four will not be ideal for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Manchester United going into a summer of complete overhaul.