Edinson Cavani’s stunning lob was not enough for Manchester United to defeat relegated Fulham, leaving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still has several problems to solve ahead of next week’s Europa League final. Cavani struck just 15 minutes into the Premier League clash, but it was far from a convincing performance from the Red Devils, with Joe Bryan claiming a point for the visitors.
United face Villarreal in Gdansk next Wednesday hoping to lift their first piece of silverware under Solskjaer.
Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville predicted in commentary that Solskjaer would select the same team that beat the Cottagers against Villarreal.
But rather than follow Neville’s advice, the Red Devils boss will have been left with several questions to answer after seeing his side fail to pick up three points.
The first question concerns Marcus Rashford, who was left on the bench for the visit of Fulham to Old Trafford.
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United take on Villarreal next Wednesday in the Europa League final (Image: Express Sport)
Without their second top-scorer though, United struggled to create clear-cut chances to put the game against the Cottagers to bed.
It is that quality in front of goal that will undoubtedly be needed in a final which will be decided by fine margins, with Unai Emery’s Villarreal set to be tough to break down.
To play Rashford on the wing and bring that goalscoring quality back to his side, Solskjaer will need to find a better balance in midfield, with Pogba selected out of position on the wing on Tuesday.
Fernandes is certain to start in Gdansk, but the selection of two defensive-minded players in Fred and Scott McTominay in midfield could harm United’s attacking ability.
Paul Pogba started on the left wing against Fulham (Image: Getty Images)
Solskjaer does not appear to be keen to play Pogba through the middle in important matches, but the duo of McTominay and Fred do not bring enough going forward.
United also have a problem in defence, with the central defensive pairing of Victor Lindelof and Axel Tuanzebe looking vulnerable even against a team that is one of the league’s worst in an attacking sense.
The Norwegian could start Eric Bailly at the back, but his partnership with Lindelof did not impress against Liverpool last week.
While Neville appears certain the game against a struggling Fulham team has solidified the line-up that can beat Villarreal, instead it appears to have created more questions for Solskjaer to answer.