United boss Solskjaer says players are 'easy target' in pay row

Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted on Tuesday it was unfair to single out footballers over issue of pay cuts during coronavirus pandemic and said y are an "easy target". England's wealthy top-flight stars have come under fire over ir lack of action, with British Health Secretary Matt Hancock calling for m to take a cut and "play ir part". Premier League has urged players to accept w reductions of 30 percent but ongoing talks have hit a stumbling block.

Solskjaer says players are 'easy target

Professional Footballers' Association boss Gordon Taylor said his members had "agreed to play ir part" and Solskjaer said it was time to stop criticising players. "For me football is an easy target sometimes," Solskjaer told Sky Sports. "For me it's unfair to call on any individual or footballers as a group because I already kw players do a great amount of work in community, and players are doing a lot to help this situation. "Discussions are taking place between players and clubs, what kind of contribution y'll make. It's t easy for anyone, and to be called out is t fair for me." 

Liverpool were forced into an embarrassing U-turn on Monday after league leaders initially said y would use public money to pay n-playing staff. Tottenham, Newcastle, Bournemouth and rwich have also used government's furlough plan. Solskjaer's United said y would t be furloughing staff while club captain Harry Maguire has reportedly asked his team-mates to donate 30 percent of ir ws to help Manchester hospitals.

Adamant that players are t only ones who should be in spotlight over pay issue, Solskjaer said: "Mistakes are being made and have been made by loads of people and that's how we learn as well. "w it's about making better decisions, good decisions. I think we all want to help NHS (National Health Service), communities, and I think it's important every single club does what y think is right." 

Im credits: AP