Man Utd were set up to fail with kick-off time, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United were "set up to fail" by having their Premier League game against Everton scheduled to kick off early on Saturday, says manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Red Devils were in Champions League action on Wednesday, when they lost 2-1 in Turkey against Istanbul Basaksehir.

Despite the short turnaround, Manchester United won 3-1 against the Toffees.

"The kick-off time set us up to fail," a visibly angry Solskjaer said.

"We have been to Turkey, played loads of games this season already, we got back Thursday morning and we are playing Saturday lunchtime, it's an absolute shambles."

When asked if he agreed with his manager that it felt like the scheduling of fixtures was making it tough for Manchester United, captain Harry Maguire said: "It is strange, you have all those slots and the availability to play the game against Everton, who I am sure would have been happy to play whenever.

"To play in Istanbul on Wednesday, have a five-hour flight and then to play first thing Saturday morning, it is tough."

• Is under-pressure Solskjaer back from the brink again?

• Watch 13 first-round ties on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app this weekend. Find out more here.

'Players are not robots, they are human beings'

Bruno Fernandes scored twice as United fought back from a goal down to claim their third league win of the season.

But while Solskjaer was happy with the character shown by his side, he was keen to emphasise the importance of looking after the players by using "common sense" with the fixture schedule.

Solskjaer, who said the club had requested the fixture to be changed earlier this season, added: "I pushed my club to really fight the kick off time on this one, to give us half a chance, but it was quashed and we were told it had been selected.

"I don't want to lighten the issue, Bruno was fantastic but it is such a serous issue that in the times we are in we don't look after these players. They are not robots, they are human beings.

"We got back on Thursday morning at 4am, what is the problem with playing on Sunday? Look after the players, we already have too many injuries in the Premier League, not just my players but others too.

"We want this product to be best in the world band it is at times and so exciting but we don't want to harm any players.

"What to do? Sit back, take a deep breath and look at the scheduling and use common sense."

Manchester United bounced back from defeat in the Champions League in midweek by beating Everton

Solskjaer 'still on borrowed time' but reaction 'will win back some fans'

The win eased some of the pressure that had been mounting on Solskjaer after an inconsistent start to the season and his passionate reaction to the fixture schedule was discussed on Final Score afterwards.

Former Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford said: "I like this Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he's showing passion, frustration, showing that it means a lot to him. This is what Man United fans should be demanding to see week in week out. Not someone calm and composed when they play rubbish and he's just sitting there happy go lucky. I think he will get a lot of fans off the back of this.

"I agree with him when he says they should've been put on Sunday. He also said everyone wants to see the headlines and I think he's alluding to people talking about him possibly losing his job and its clearly getting under his skin a bit. I think he was fortunate today to come away with the victory and I still stand by that I don't think he'll last."

Former Chelsea and England winger Karen Carney: "Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's annoyed about the congestion because of the injuries to the players and if he doesn't have those players he doesn't get the results and he loses is job, that's why he's angry.

"I've never seen him like that, he looks upset. Without his big players he knows he can't get the results and for me he's on borrowed time and he shouldn't be because it's a bigger problem than just the manager at Manchester United."

• Video games: How are they helping overcome grief?

• Ultra-processed foods: Find out which ones are actually good for you