Manchester United have drawn 0-0 with Wolves this evening, meaning they remain in sixth place in the Premier League. They trail Sheffield United by one point, while they are level with today's opponents on 35 points.
It was not a bad performance from Solskjaer's side, but they ultimately lacked the quality to break down a stubborn Wolves team.
With Rashford absent due to injury, the front three failed to sparkle. Martial, James, and Mata failed to do anything of real note.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Gary Neville admitted United are well behind their rivals in terms of quality in the forward areas of the pitch:
"The recruitment of players hasn't been good enough. You go back to Falcao, Di Maria. You look at what Liverpool and Tottenham have done..."@GNev2 says that United's game plan was correct tonight, but the quality of their XI held them back.
Report: https://t.co/glbR9njRAa pic.twitter.com/3ebstmw7Ak— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 1, 2020
It's ultimately down to quality. You look at that front three in the first half, Martial, James, and Mata, then in the second half Martial, James, and Pereira, that is well below the quality of the world class teams in this league and in Europe...
All the big teams who have spent big money in the last five or six years do not have a front three like that. They have real top quality players who provide the difference in tight games.
Manchester United's game plan was good, the issue is the quality at the top end of the pitch is not where it should be.
Ed Woodward has been criticised for his approach in the transfer market, but the club cannot be accused of not spending money. They have assembled one of the most expensive squads in the history of the game, with their current position a damning indictment of Woodward's ability to assemble a competitive squad.
United have consistently chased the biggest names in the game, but it has often backfired. Those who do sign have often failed to perform.
While their approach may have changed somewhat over the past 12 months, they still have a long way to go. Neville questioned who was making these decisions at the club, with United consistently missing out on talented players to their rivals:
At 0-0 they've had to bring on Jesse Lingard and Diogo Dalot. That tells you exactly where Manchester United are at.
I know they've got a couple of injuries, but you're always going to get a couple of injuries. Other teams have injuries as well...
It's the second highest wage bill in Europe that Manchester United have got. It's not just about money and throwing it at it, you've got to throw the money at it and bring the right players in.
That's the big problem with Manchester United, I'm not sure who's been in charge of recruitment over the last seven or eight years...
You look at Liverpool with Mane and Salah, who were known players. Firmino less so coming from Germany, but these players have been available.
Manchester United must have looked at them over the last seven or eight years and other teams have taken them when Manchester United haven't.
