Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should make some brave changes to his starting line-up against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening, insisting club captain Harry Maguire should be amongst the casualties.
United will make the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium under huge pressure to make up for last Sunday’s 5-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford, which extended their winless run in the Premier League to four matches.
Failure to get back to winning ways could spell the end for manager Solskjaer, with the Norwegian under severe pressure to save his job. As reported by the Manchester Evening News earlier this week, United did consider sacking the 48-year-old, but the lack of a succession plan saved his skin.
However, Solskjaer remains under intense pressure and needs to guide his side to a much-needed victory, something Parker has suggested will only be possible if he makes changes, some of which may raise eyebrows.
“It’s going to be a mini cup final,” Parker told Eurosport. “Neither manager can afford to lose it. He has to make changes, because if he doesn’t it will cause a toxic atmosphere amongst the travelling fans looking for a change.
“Solskjaer needs to make changes and the right changes. You can’t leave out Cristiano Ronaldo but he has to play Edinson Cavani to get some workrate up front. Ronaldo does not want to close down but Solskjaer has to try something in midfield. He does not need two holding mids against Spurs.
“If it was me I would go with Fred because of his quicker feet and Donny van de Beek. I saw him play there against Spurs for Ajax and he was brilliant but he needs a run in the team.
“If Raphael Varane is fit I would play him alongside Victor Lindelof. I saw less issues with him than the other three in the Liverpool game. It’s terrible what happens with Maguire and [Luke] Shaw down the left-hand side. Neither can defend one against one, communicate or defend space.
“United can’t keep clean sheets but I’m going to go with my heart and say they win this one.”
Varane, as confirmed by Solskjaer on Friday lunchtime, is available for selection, meaning he is in contention to return to the defence and replace either Lindelof or Maguire.
Although Maguire’s performance was more than questionable against Liverpool, there is a general feeling that the England international will retain his place and Lindelof will be the one to make way for Varane.
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