Tunnel Insider: 'Ole was right to voice his opinion'

The boss was visibly annoyed by the fact his Reds were forced to kick off at 12:30 GMT on Saturday, which was only two days after landing back in England during the early hours of Thursday morning following the UEFA Champions League match against Istanbul Basaksehir in Turkey.

Despite that disadvantage, United produced an excellent display to secure an admirable comeback victory thanks to a brace from Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani’s first goal for the club. 

Club reporter Stewart Gardner was at Goodison Park as part of his MUTV commentary duties and he spoke to Solskjaer after the final whistle, for an interview that emphasised the manager’s passion.

“Ole was not pulling back in his post-match comments,” explains Gardner, in his latest Tunnel Insider podcast. “Rather than going straight into the game, he wanted to talk about the situation with the Premier League, the FA and the TV companies, making United kick off at 12:30 and just a few hours after coming back from Istanbul, because it looks like it has cost a few players in terms of injuries.”

Ben Thornley, a regular guest on Tunnel Insider, believes Solskjaer was right to save his anger for after the match and hopes something will be done about such damaging scheduling decisions.

“It certainly seems to have cost United with the small injury pile-up that the manager seems to have,” says the Class of ’92 graduate. “I think the only saving grace is the fact that, yes, the lads who have got injuries now won't be able to go on international duty, so at least that does give them another couple of weeks to get what they have got out of the way in time for the next scheduling of games starting on 21 November against West Bromwich Albion. 

“I think Ole was right to hold his counsel before the game because you don't want to make excuses, but I think he has got every right to voice his opinion win, lose or draw after the final whistle. The fact that we actually won the game, there is no bitterness there but there is certainly anger in the fact - and Ole is completely right - that we were scheduled to play on Saturday. 

“Why they couldn't schedule this game on a Sunday is beyond me. They are finding niches where you didn't think there were niches to find football matches. I am sure they have a look at that in the future, or at least I hope they will, and nevertheless it was a super performance from Manchester United.”

Listen to the full episode of Tunnel Insider for more analysis from Goodison Park.