Solskjaer clarifies Lingard derby substitution
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has shed some light on why he decided to take Jesse Lingard off at half-time during Tuesday’s derby defeat in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
The 27-year-old started the game, despite suffering from an illness which had kept him out of the Emirates FA Cup match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but was replaced by Nemanja Matic at the break after again feeling unwell.
Jesse will now unfortunately be unavailable for tomorrow’s visit of Norwich, but the boss believes his eagerness to play shows a willingness to help the side, with injuries to Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba already limiting our options in midfield.
“He won't be available this weekend. He's one that put himself up for selection,” Ole told reporters at the Aon Training Complex this morning.
“Yeah, he wasn't feeling great, but we were down to the bare bones and Jesse got a reaction from that.
“He didn't feel very well at half-time and he's not been in since. Fair play for putting himself up [for selection], but unfortunately he got worse.”
Solskjaer also praised the character of another Academy graduate, Marcus Rashford, who captained United for the first time in midweek.
After the 3-1 defeat to Manchester City, Marcus suggested United were only showing part of our potential and, while Ole didn't totally agree with that viewpoint, he said it was testament to the high expectations of the 22-year-old, who is starting to show his leadership in the dressing room.
“We didn't perform really well for long periods in the first half, that's for sure,” Ole added. “I don't think it's only half a performance, but I know where Marcus is coming from.
“We know the potential and sometimes you don't perform to what you're capable of and Marcus is an example of how well this team has improved and how much he has improved as well.
“He is a leader at his young age and that is fantastic.”
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Harry Maguire may be involved against the Canaries after missing out on the City game through an injury he picked up at Wolves.
The central defender played through the pain barrier in the second half of that cup tie and Ole said that building a team of players who are dedicated to the cause, even when not 100 per cent fit, was his plan going forward.
“Well that's the culture that we're working towards, that we have players that always put the team in front of themselves," said the manager.
"I'm in the process of building a squad with the right culture. I'm still not finished with that.”
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