Lukaku, Mata and Fellaini have no place in Man Utd side under Solskjaer because they’re too slow, says Gary Neville
The former Red Devils defender reckons the trio are simply not quick enough for this team and their lack of pace is a hindrance
ROMELU LUKAKU, Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini do not deserve to be in the Manchester United team - because they are simply not quick enough.
That is the opinion of Red Devils legend Gary Neville, who lauded his former side's performance against Tottenham yesterday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made it five league wins from five thanks to Marcus Rashford's finish just before the break after Paul Pogba's excellent pass.
But Neville believes the trio of stars are surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.
Lukaku came off the bench for the final 20 minutes, Mata stayed on it and Fellaini did not even make it.
Scott McTominay replaced Paul Pogba in injury time while Fred and Andreas Pereira were the other unused Manchester United midfielders at Wembley.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said: "Looking at what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done, he’s left out Lukaku, he’s left out Mata most of the time, it’s not a reflection on those two players but they do slow down attacks.
"They can’t move from one box to another quickly, all these players can run, along with the quality they have. Fellaini as well.
"They are two players who can potentially add things from the bench but they can’t play at this pace, they can’t make the movements of Martial, Lingard, Rashford, Pogba.
"They are not capable of doing it, they haven’t got the physical attributes to do it.
"It [pace] is the basis of every team, you look at Manchester City with Sterling and Sane or Liverpool with Salah and Firmino.
"Every team has to have those players and with the likes of Mata, Lukaku and Fellaini in the team, it was too slow."
Neville came under fire last night, though, as he was told to "shut up" and accused of being bias for his over-zealous punditry following the match.
United's win means they are now level on points with Arsenal with an identical record this season of 12 wins, five draws and five defeats, although the Gunners have scored two more goals.