One of the more difficult decisions a manager faces during tight games is when to make substitutions and who to bring on or off. This is one of the troubles that Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has faced on occasion this season, and is particularly an issue that has plagued him when chasing games.

There was a bafflement with supporters on Sunday night when the Norwegian left it late to bring on fresh legs as the Red Devils chased their Europa League semi-final with Sevilla. It was not until after the eightieth minute when Solskjaer decided to bring on the likes of Dan James and Odion Ighalo – well past the time when they could have had a meaningful impact on the match.

  • An issue with the manager?

One cause for concern in this regard may well be whether it is the fault of Solskjaer and a tactical pitfall he has fell into during his eighteen months in charge at Old Trafford.

It was felt at the start of the season that while the manager had done a reasonable job of shipping out those who didn’t fit in with his vision. Gone were Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez and Marouane Fellaini, but many believed that the board had done a subpar job at replacing these names – the argument being that three players had been signed for upwards of £150m in total transfer fees.

While Bruno Fernandes and Odion Ighalo were added in January, the latter temporarily, there was still a glaring lack of quality off the bench, with the likes of Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira out of sorts, the first-team squad had much quality, but the depth was not present.

Despite this, Solskjaer’s stubbornness may have cost United in a few games this year, where fresh legs could have done the world of good – if the right players were brought on or off. One example that comes to mind is against Southampton at home following the restart.

Paul Pogba and Fernandes were both substituted off, and the lack of technical quality in the midfield led United to becoming overwhelmed, and subsequently, the resurgent Saints bagged an added time equaliser.

If it was Daniel James that came on either of the wings, the Welshman could have exposed a gap behind the high backline, and while James’ end product has been questionable this year, he has still registered a number of assists and an onrushing Anthony Martial may well have put the game beyond doubt.

However, this argument peters out when the backroom staff that Solskjaer has assembled is taken into account. The likes of Mike Phelan and Kieran McKenna have plenty of experience, the former especially was a key member of the Sir Alex Ferguson staffs during the latter years of Ferguson’s reign.

 

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It is arguable whether the pair could have whispered a word in Solskjaer’s ear at times this year – they clearly have the permission to roam the technical area and bark instructions, so the ability to advise the manager clearly is not the issue with the United boss.

  • A lack of faith

The key argument for Solskjaer is simply a lack of faith – which speaks volumes of the job he still has on his hands at Old Trafford.

Challenging for titles in the Premier League today requires near-perfection. The league has been claimed in the last three years with points totals of 100, 98 and 99 – and this means having a squad that can rotate and still have quality across all three phases of the game.

Take Manchester City for example. United’s neighbours arguably have the quality to field two title-winning sides at any one time, with two players of class at each position.

While many have criticised manager Pep Guardiola for an over-reliance on money, it cannot be denied that City’s football at times is simply wonderful to watch. The same can be said of United’s rivals on Merseyside.

Solskjaer has said himself that "We definitely need to improve if we want to move up the table and take steps in the cups" in response to questions regarding squad depth at Sunday evening's post-match press conference.

United have experience in having strength in depth – it is not like this is concept is foreign to them. In United’s two best sides in modern history, the club have had four quality strikers at any one time - Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Solskjaer in ’99, and Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.

 

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Unfortunately, success in modern football requires money nine times out of ten. Does Solskjaer believe United have two players of quality at each position?

The answer is no - and this can be seen in his choices of substitutions. The manager clearly has little faith in his bench’s ability to turn games around and believes his best chance is with the side that starts on the pitch.

  • A solution

Now, the attention turns to the boardroom. Can supporters rely on asking vice-chairman Ed Woodward to open his chequebook and go out to sign quality?

It is an area in which the club have struggled for many years – even in the Ferguson days. The replacement (or lack thereof) of Ronaldo in 2009 still has not been forgotten by a large portion of United supporters.

The vision that Solskjaer has for the club can be seen from miles away. But it requires time and patience. The club still requires a few key upgrades in the starting eleven – a centre-half, left-back and right-winger come to mind – but the bench also needs players that the manager can trust to come on and impact games in which United are struggling, or indeed are chasing.

The likes of Jack Grealish and Donny van de Beek have been mentioned in recent months – it is arguable whether either would start every week, but it would no doubt be an upgrade over the likes of Lingard and Pereira.

Up front, United are committed to Ighalo until next January, but after that, who is the Plan B if Anthony Martial isn’t firing?

These are the questions that need answering. The expectation for supporters is a title challenge, year in and year out.

The club have not provided that since 2013 – but upgrades in the key areas, and a strength in depth would give them the platform to challenge the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

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