Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit out at the decision to make Manchester United play Everton on Saturday lunchtime, just two-and-a-half days after the end of their Champions League clash with Villarreal.

Solskjaer criticised the lack of common sense in putting United’s match in the early slot on Saturday when they had played in Europe on Wednesday, while Liverpool and Manchester City – who were both in Champions League action on Tuesday – kick off at Anfield 28 hours later on Sunday.

Solskjaer compared it to a similar scenario last season when United had a long trip to Turkey in midweek to face Istanbul Basaksehir and then played Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime.

‘Absolutely no explanation – well, it’s TV,’ said the United manager. ‘No common sense at all. We had the same scenario last year in Turkey.

‘We have to make it happen. The crowd is important. We and played Chelsea played Wednesday night. We could easily have played Sunday and Liverpool-City on Saturday. Common sense might not be so common.’