Matic tells Solskjaer he is responsible if Man Utd fail

Joe Williams
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Nemanja Matic Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will carry the can if Manchester United fail to challenge for the Premier League title, says Nemanja Matic.

Matic is yet to start a game this season, playing the role of unused substitute in each of their first three Premier League games.

The United midfielder made his first appearance in the 1-1 draw with Southampton as a second-half substitute that probably should have subsequently been substituted.

On Sunday, Matic liked an Instagram comment branding Solskjaer ‘myopic’ for dropping him, which has led to rumours that the pair have fallen out.

However, Matic denies they have fallen out and has accepted that he will have to wait for his chance.

“The coach must opt for the team that will fight for the title and if he does not win, he bears the responsibility,” Matic told reporters while on international duty with Serbia.

“I have been in football for a long time, I have played almost all the games for all the clubs in the last 10 years. In order for me to play, one had to sit on the bench and accept that fact, and so do I now.”

He added: “In the first two or three games he picked the team without me,” Matic added. “I work as hard as I can. We respect the decision, it’s up to me to show him that he was wrong and to bring me back to where I belong.

“There is no problem. I told him I disagreed with him but that he had to decide the team.”