Manchester United’s players have reportedly been left ‘surprised’ after being given a week off amid the club’s current struggles.
United are sixth in the Premier League after suffering a sixth defeat in 12 fixtures across all competitions against Manchester City last weekend, the convincing 2-0 loss at Old Trafford increasing the pressure on the Red Devils and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s position as manager.
With the majority of the first-team squad heading off on international duty this week, Solskjaer has opted to hand the rest of his players and backroom staff a rest, a decision which has left the squad ‘surprised’.
According to the Mail, Solskjaer has returned to Norway to spend time with his family and has provided the Red Devils’ players not on international duty with a week’s rest in the aftermath of their disappointing derby defeat.
United were comprehensively outplayed by Pep Guardiola’s side at Old Trafford, though the club’s hierarchy have insisted that Solskjaer’s position is not under immediate threat despite the manner of recent home losses to both City and Liverpool.
United’s first fixture following the international break is a trip to face Watford on November 20, before a crucial Champions League meeting with Villarreal in Spain, the two sides currently level on seven points in the race to secure qualification.
