‘You don’t know which Anthony Martial is going to show up’

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is facing more calls to give Edinson Cavani a leading role in the Manchester United team, and drop inconsistent and out-of-form striker Anthony Martial.

Former United defender Paul Parker has told talkSPORT he is ‘worried’ about the manager’s team selections, and has questioned why experienced players such as Cavani are spending most of their time on the bench.

The 33-year-old striker arrived at Old Trafford on a free transfer in October after ending his time with Paris Saint-Germain as the club’s all-time top goalscorer.

He has started only one Premier League game for the Red Devils, but has scored three goals in eight appearances, and earned praise for creating Bruno Fernandes’ goal against Leicester City on Boxing Day.

Midfielder Donny van de Beek has endured a similarly frustrating start to his career at Old Trafford, with the former Ajax captain starting just two league games since his £40million summer transfer.

United are fourth in the Premier League and only five points behind leaders Liverpool, but they haven’t exactly been in flying form with fans growing frustrated with their lack of consistent results.

Solskjaer’s men were tipped as title contenders after thrashing Leeds 6-2 before Christmas, only to surrender the lead twice in their 2-2 draw with Leicester on Boxing Day.

And Parker believes the manager’s team selection is part of the problem.

“I’m sceptical about some of the players he is leaving on the touchline,” he told the talkSPORT Breakfast.

“It does worry me that you’re leaving good players on the touchline who you need to get in, get playing consistently and get the best from them.

“Edinson Cavani is one of them. The one thing United have been lacking for quite a few years now is a consistent centre-forward, somebody who knows how to play in that position with their runs, holding up the ball, playing little one-twos and movement in behind.

“United haven’t had that; the only one they’ve had of any note since Sir Alex retired was Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

“All Ole is trying to do at the moment is get some consistency in their game, and if players like Cavani – with the levels they have played at – are playing then maybe they will.”

Parker has also raised his concerns over Solskjaer’s apparent allegiance to Frenchman Martial, who has continued to get games despite his startling lack of goals this season.

The 25-year-old has managed just one goal and three assists this term, and it was only after he was replaced by Cavani that United looked truly threatening against the Foxes.

And Parker added: “Marcus Rashford is always going to be in the team on the left hand side, but the right hand side is up there for auction at this moment in time.

“People will say young Mason Greenwood, but I still wonder is there going to be enough from him? Everyone will say that he’s young, but you’re only young for a short number of years at Man United before you’re going to have to start showing consistency, and he hasn’t really done that yet.

“You could play Martial there, and he could play anywhere across that forward line, but you never know what Martial is going to turn up for you?

“You’re not getting any show or form and he doesn’t put any consistent runs of performances together.”