Five United players poised to take advantage of Ole's axing

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United exit was inevitable after the humbling 4-1 defeat to Watford at the weekend.

The Norwegian helped restore the feel-good factor at Old Trafford early in his tenure but a failure to lead the Red Devils anywhere near a title charge this season left club chiefs with little choice but to act.

Certain stars have found it difficult to break into the starting line-up under the axed boss— but a change of fortune under a new head coach could well be in store.

LiveScore take a look at five players who will hope to benefit from a change of management in Manchester — starting with Michael Carrick's first game as caretaker against Villarreal tomorrow.

Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho has endured a tough start to life at his new club.

Sancho, 21, has yet to score or register an assist for the Red Devils and seven of his 14 appearances in the famous red shirt have come from the bench. 

The England international has often lost out to Mason Greenwood in the starting line-up this term, seemingly struggling to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League.

But Solskjaer's dismissal will have given Sancho renewed hope that he can revive his season.

The former Borussia Dortmund star netted 38 Bundesliga goals during his four seasons in Germany and the change in management can only help his efforts to force his way into the United team.

Donny van de Beek

Another forgotten figure who will be keen to fight for his place under the new regime is Donny van de Beek.

The ex-Ajax playmaker has struggled badly during his time in England — starting just two games in the current campaign.

His three appearances in the Premier League have all come from the bench but the Dutchman did score United's only goal of the game in their defeat at Vicarage Road this weekend.

Van de Beek was a key part of the incredible Ajax side who agonisingly lost out to Tottenham in a dramatic Champions League semi-final in 2019 but has found opportunities limited since his switch to Manchester.

His ability has been proven on the biggest stage though and the 24-year-old will be looking to impress United's interim coach in the coming weeks.

Anthony Martial

Anthony Martial introduced himself to the Old Trafford faithful by netting in a 3-1 win over Liverpool in 2015 — but the Frenchman has never lived up to his world-class potential.

The forward has been in and out of the United team for the last two seasons and has only featured in six Premier League matches this term.

Martial, 25, has scored 79 goals in 266 appearances for his club but only one of those has come in the 2021-22 campaign.

The ex-Monaco man has been subject to speculation around his future and is currently bottom of the pecking order when it comes to United's attacking options.

Though he faces an uphill battle to become a first-team regular again, Martial may benefit from a fresh start under the new manager.

Jesse Lingard

Jesse Lingard's return to United has not been what the England international will have hoped for.

The 28-year-old spent six months on loan at West Ham last season, where he scored nine goals and registered four assists in 16 impressive games for the Hammers.

Lingard has scored twice in his six Premier League appearances this term but has reportedly been left frustrated with a lack of game time.

The midfielder is another who will be desperate to make an impact in the coming weeks, starting with United's trip to Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Should he manage to break into the first XI, a new deal with his boyhood club could still be on the cards.

Alex Telles

Another beneficiary of Solskjaer's departure from United may well be Alex Telles. 

The left-back has struggled to fend off Luke Shaw since his arrival from Porto in 2020 and has played a total of just 10 Premier League games in two seasons.

Shaw's untimely upturn in form made it difficult for the Brazilian to make the left-back position his own — but the 28-year-old may get his chance soon.

His direct rival has struggled since returning from England's Euro 2020 final defeat and the new hierarchy may well view that area as one requiring a shake-up.

Telles scored 11 times and provided eight assists for Porto in the 2019-20 campaign — if he can produce those numbers at United, he could turn himself into the club's first-choice left-back.