Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has blamed his squad’s lack of fitness after Manchester United’s heavy 4-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Devils were thrashed by the Toffees, leaving their chances of a top four finish looking slim, with the Manchester derby coming up at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
United can still make the Champions League places, but Solskjaer has openly admitted that his side may not have the physical capabilities to do so.
The Norwegian watched his men be ripped apart by Everton at Goodison Park and says that his team are lacking the basics that are required for success.
‘That’s one of the things I’ve said is the basics and one of the basic ingredients in a team performance is running, that desire and fitness,’ said Solskjaer.
‘Of course, we know our fitness is nowhere near good enough. I’ve said it before, I can’t wait to get a pre-season done.
‘We’ve been fantastic to get where we are, and maybe that’s got the eye off, because we’ve been chasing results and suddenly we are close to this top four.
‘We never envisaged that we would be so close when we came in. Maybe it’s caught up with us.
‘We all know to win games of football, as I refer to many times… basics, and fitness has nothing to do with talent.’
United have four Premier League games remaining this season, with a home game against Chelsea following the visit of City.
The Red Devils then go to Huddersfield before Cardiff travel to Old Trafford on the final day of the season.
‘You have got to start somewhere and we will give it everything we have got with the last four games,’ said Solskjaer. ‘Massive games with City and Chelsea coming to Old Trafford. That’s where we get the best support in the world.
‘We can turn it around. In football, like in life, things can change quickly. We have got to change it from bad to good.’
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