When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer named his Manchester United side at Wolves on Saturday night, there were a few surprises.
One was that he again elected to start with four at the back, despite having teased just over 24 hours previously that he was preparing to go with a defensive trio.
Another was the return to the starting lineup of England midfielder Jesse Lingard after injury.
Lingard had been rushed back from a hamstring injury against Liverpool last month and suffered a recurrence of the problem.
But after returning to training last week, he was back in Solskjaer’s starting XI at Molineux – despite the suggestion having been he wouldn’t play until after the international break.
(Image: PA)
However, the FA Cup quarter-final was a step too far for the 26-year-old, who was largely a passenger throughout.
As Nuno Espirito Santo’s men wrecked United’s hopes of domestic silverware, Lingard’s impact was minimal.
And according to the MEN, a source close to the player suggested that his return had left them “amazed”.
They also stated that Solskjaer’s decision to return him to the side so soon was also “a massive risk”.
(Image: 2019 Getty Images)
It was a risk that ultimately didn’t work and ended with United being devoured and dismissed by a hungry Wolves side.
Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota scored the goals to hand Nuno’s men a 2-1 victory but had it not been for Sergio Romero, it would have been more.
Marcus Rashford scored an injury-time consolation for the visitors, but chances were few and far between for United on the night.
Solskjaer labelled their display “the poorest since I’ve come here” and said that it had been “a big step backwards”.
His Lingard decision played its part.
