Solskjaer explains Cristiano Ronaldo dropping for Man Utd vs Everton and insists he needs to ‘freshen up’ team
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER insists his decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United’s clash with Everton today was simply to ‘freshen it up’.
The Red Devils boss has left Ronaldo on the bench and decided to recall Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial instead.
But Solskjaer played down Ronaldo’s omission from the starting line-up as they prepared to take on Rafa Benitez’s tough Everton side.
Explaining the decision, he said: “Well Wednesday was a big effort, big emotional and physical output so needed to freshen it up.
“Start of this game is very important, got big players coming on too,
we believe it’s a team that can take charge of the game.”
Everton boss Benitez seemed as surprised as everybody else that Ronaldo had been left out.
He simply said: “Yes, maybe everybody was expecting he [Ronaldo] would play. They still have a very strong team.”
Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho have also been left out of the starting XI.
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Ronaldo has scored five goals in five games since returning to Old Trafford 12 years after leaving for Real Madrid.
The clash against the Toffees could be Ronaldo’s 200th Premier League appearance for United.
Solskjaer’s side are looking to bounce back from defeat in their last league game against Aston Villa seven days ago.
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They will be hoping to build on their Champions League victory over Villarreal in midweek, a dramatic game which saw Ronaldo score a stoppage time winner.
United will return to the top of the Premier League table with a win over Benitez’s side.
The Red Devils currently sit one point behind table toppers Liverpool at the start of the day.