Gary Neville has named the two ‘irreplaceable’ players Ole Solskjaer cannot afford to drop from his Manchester United lineup.
Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire are “irreplaceable” and Solskjaer cannot afford to drop the duo, says Gary Neville.
The Portuguese has built on an impressive start to life in Manchester by establishing himself as the team’s driving force since the start of the current campaign.
Fernandes joined United from Sporting in January and has contributed 13 goals and seven assists to United’s cause in his first 20 appearances this term. He remains the club’s top-scorer this season.
In the heart of the defense, Solskjaer has been able to rely on Harry Maguire of late. After a poor start to the season, the Englishman has put assured performances in defense.
Both players started in midweek for United against Everton and are expected to feature by the weekend again.
There were calls Solskjaer should give both players a rest but Gary Neville doesn’t see why that should happen.
“They are the two players who I think are irreplaceable. Fernandes is irreplaceable, they are a way off without him. He’s a vital piece of the jigsaw,” Neville said on his Sky Sports Podcast.
“Maguire, I think, you’d know if he was missing. My gut feeling is that they would miss him enormously.
“I know some people say he’s not the best defender in the league, that he’s not done brilliantly since he came for £80m, but he’s a big presence in the heart of the defence.
“He’s good on the ball, he’s composed and he’s good in the air. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, sometimes he gets caught but he’s a good centre-back, a really good centre-back and a big presence in that team.
“Him and Fernandes, I’m not sure they can [rest them] at this moment in time because Ole hasn’t got the luxury to lose a game, unfortunately.”
Solskjaer will no doubt start Fernandes and Maguire when the Red Devils take in a trip to Leicester City on Boxing Day.
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