Solskjaer’s sacking at United had appeared to lose the dressing room several weeks before his eventual sack as the state of his players’ disillusionment is revealed.
A majority believed a few players had downed their tools before Solskjaer was dismissed after three years in charge. Also, reports have emerged claiming some members of the United squad were disappointed with the Norwegian who for the time being will be succeeded by caretaker boss Michael Carrick.
The reports claim center-back Eric Bailly asked Solskjaer why he had picked a center-half “who was not fit” in their Premier League defeat by Leicester last month.
The Ivory Coast international was left out for captain Harry Maguire at the King Power Stadium, despite having only returned to full training following a calf injury the day prior to their 4-2 defeat in the East Midlands.
Also, the summer signing Cristiano Ronaldo has already shown his frustration publicly since returning to Old Trafford from Juventus. He once stormed off the pitch following their draw against Everton, a game he did not start.
The Portugal international has also been left alarmed by the drop in standards at Old Trafford since his return. However, the report now claims he feels some of his teammates want it ‘too easy.’
Meanwhile, the report adds other members of the squad challenged the 48-year-old amid his continued omission of midfielders Donny van de Beek, Jesse Lingard, Alex Telles, and Nemanja Matic.
The report claims Solskjaer was always well-liked by the squad but the perceived ‘favoritism’ shown towards some players deemed to be underperforming began to erode away at patience and heighten tensions.
Solskjaer was axed after losing five of his last seven Premier League matches and seven of his last 13 games across all competitions. Carrick has taken temporary charge but United will seek an interim replacement to take over until the end of the season.