Manchester United exiles ‘feel MISLED by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Donny van de Beek, grows frustrated

A handful of Manchester United’s fringe players are reportedly feeling misled about their playing prospects this season, with frustrations growing about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reluctance to rotate his squad.

Solskjaer, 48, opted for a big squad for the current season with the Norwegian adamant that a larger playing group would help the Red Devils compete on all fronts throughout the rigorous campaign. 

The United boss previously admitted that he had ‘overplayed’ Bruno Fernandes and although United are in the midst of a dire run of results that has left his job hanging by a thread, Solskjaer has refused to draft in his squad players.

Donny van de Beek (L) and Jesse Lingard (R) have played limited minutes so far this season

According to The Telegraph, Donny van de Beek, Jesse Lingard, Dean Henderson, Eric Bailly, Alex Telles, Diogo Dalot, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial entered the season expecting to be afforded more playing time by the boss.  

However, despite dismal performances against Liverpool and Manchester City at Old Trafford that have left supporters calling for Solskjaer’s head, the Norwegian has doggedly stuck with the same group of players.

Solskjaer’s reluctance to introduce his exiled stars has onset a mounting frustration among some players, particularly in light of the fact that some stars opted against leaving the club in the summer as they believed they would be given more playing time at United. 

The Red Devils enter a run of five games in 15 days following the international break which could be critical in Solskjaer’s fight to save his job. The 48-year-old has taken just four points from the last 18 available in the league.

Defender Eric Bailly (L) and Anthony Martial (R) are also reportedly frustrated with Solskjaer

Former Ajax star Van de Beek has started a total of four top flight games since moving from the Dutch giants in the summer of 2020 and has played just 15 minutes in the Premier League this term. A January loan move to either Wolves or Everton has been mooted. 

Lingard was persuaded to stay at Old Trafford in the summer with a host of clubs interested in the Englishman following his outstanding loan spell at West Ham.

The United academy product has yet to start a league game, however, and has snubbed the club’s efforts to offer him a new contract, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.

Alex Telles (pictured) and Juan Mata are also understood to be unhappy at Man United 

The Telegraph adds that Lingard’s exile from the first team is a source of bemusement among his team-mates. 

Bailly signed a new deal last summer but has only featured three times this season – against West Ham in the League Cup, Atalanta in the Champions League, and City in the league. 

Last month, reports suggested that the Ivorian was confused as to why he was offered a new deal if Solskjaer has no intention of playing him. 

Mata’s only appearance this season came in the League Cup defeat to West Ham while Telles hinted at his frustration in a cryptic post on Instagram prior to United’s win at Spurs.

Solskjaer faces a crunch five games which could determine his fate as United manager

Meanwhile, Martial has fallen down in the pecking order at United with Cristiano Ronaldo, Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho ahead of the Frenchman as it stands.

Henderson was in line to take over from David de Gea as United’s No 1, but the Englishman contracted coronavirus and the Spaniard’s superb start to the campaign has hampered the former Sheffield United loan star’s development.   

United travel to Vicarage Road to take on Watford this weekend, before taking on Villarreal in a crunch Champions League clash next Tuesday.