Solskjaer 'gets it wrong every week' and benching Ronaldo was 'sackable offence'

The Manchester United manager has come under intense scrutiny once again at the start of the season for an indifferent start.

Having lost at home to Aston Villa the previous weekend, the Norwegian saw his side rescue victory in the final minutes of a Champions League tie with Villarreal after a dour performance.

Yet given Ronaldo's match-winning exertions, Solskjaer opted to start his star man on the bench for the visit of the Toffees as they were held to a 1-1 draw.

The 36-year-old was practically seething as he left the Old Trafford pitch, clearly disgusted at the result and his lack of game time, as he was only given 33 minutes by his coach.

Speaking on Monday morning, former Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara insists the blame lies firmly with Solskjaer and warned that the excuses are running out, saying he 'gets it wrong every week'.

"You don't bench Ronaldo," O'Hara said on Breakfast. "You start him, win the game two or three nil and then you take him off.

"You put him on in the 57th minute anyway, so he has played enough football to be tired after the game. It's not like you're resting him and not using him at all.

"You've brought him on when it is not going well, so of course he got it wrong. He gets it wrong every week!

"I'm just sick and tired of the same conversation with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his tactics and how he is not getting it right.

"It's criminal; they've got such a great squad of players and it is just so boring! He's not good enough, the tactics are not good enough and he doesn't make the right decisions in the big moments.

"But they stick by him! I think the tide is turning with him a little bit; the fans are starting to get the hump because they have a top squad now.

"Before, there was excuses with the players and they weren't quite there and they were progressing.

"This season, they've got Paul Pogba, you've got Bruno Fernandes, you've got Rahpael Varane, you've brought in Jadon Sancho, you've got Ronaldo and you're drawing at home or losing games - it's just not good enough.

"They have to be there this season, they have to compete and every time I look at Man United and I watch their performance, it just sort of turns into desperation.

"He puts Pogba and Ronaldo on the bench, he brings Ronaldo on in the 57th minute and hopes he can go on and do something for us now because it wasn't quite happening.

"They got away with it in midweek in the Champions League because Ronaldo was in the right place at the right time, but he can't do that every game.

"You've got to win games convincingly, especially at home, and they never do."

Since taking charge of United on a permanent basis in 2019, Solskjaer has failed to seriously mount a title challenge against the likes of Liverpool or Manchester City - the club's two fiercest rivals.

Defeat in the Europa League final in May to Villarreal was also another missed opportunity to collect much needed silverware to quieten the dissenting voices.

Having spent £441million during his time at the club - including £73m on Jadon Sancho and £85m on Harry Maguire - Solskjaer has a squad most managers could only dream about.

Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes the 48-year-old also displayed a weak mentality in the final throes of the game on Saturday, laughing and joking as United desperately chased a goal.

"First of all, I think it was a sackable offence to not start Ronaldo," Agbonlahor said. "You look at Manchester United, you're playing Everton.

"They've been in good form this season, you play your strongest team to go out there and beat Everton. You've got an international break now, it's not as if you have another game in midweek.

"Pogba should have started, Jesse Lingard should have been given a start, send Ronaldo to his international break with Portugal knackered, shattered. That's not your problem!

"Play your best team against teams like Everton, you have to. I think Ole got it totally wrong and, even though the way in the last 30 seconds, he was laughing and joking on the touchline.

"Benitez was so on it, talking to his players, it just shows he was happy with a draw.

"Manchester United should not happy with a draw at home to Everton."