Ruthless Solskjaer says he will axe unfit Man Utd stars with Sanchez, Bailly and Fred all under threat

Experienced trio Alexis Sanchez, Eric Bailly and Fred seem most under threat

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER warned his Manchester United players: “It’s survival of the fittest or the best.”

The manager insisted he will be ruthless this summer and only wants players who can move the club in the right direction.

And the size of the task to make up the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City next season is clear.

Solskjaer said: “I’m under no illusions, this is not going to be plain sailing. It’s going to be hard.

“Liverpool and City are too far ahead at the moment for what we like.

“We played against a Barcelona team that sets the standard in European football.

“It’s going to be hard work and there will be some tough decisions made by me, Mike Phelan and the club.”

In the closing games of the season he wants to see exactly who is up for the fight, too. Solskjaer added: “It’s going to be survival of the fittest or survival of the best.

“That’s how ruthless we have to be. We need players here who are going to be able to take us forward.”

A sparkling start to Solskjaer’s Old Trafford reign — 14 wins, two draws and just one defeat in 17 games — led to thoughts of a title push next season.

But four defeats in the last five, however, suggests otherwise.

'BIG SUMMER'

Wednesday’s 1-0 home loss to Barca showed how far behind the very best they are.

According to Solskjaer, there has definitely been a sudden lack of belief in front of goal, something he is trying to address in training.

He said: “You are never happy when you don’t win games.

“But it’s been a period where we’ve played some good teams, had some good performances but haven’t had the quality and belief in front of goal.

“We should have won the two league games against Wolves and Arsenal, with the amount of chances we had.

“We’ve been practising and as a striker I know how important that little belief is, so we’ve been putting balls in goals.

“Sometimes you just don’t have that little feel, confidence, so you have to do it in training and hope it comes out again.”

It will certainly be a big summer of ins and outs.

But one player he definitely wants to stay is Paul Pogba, 26.

The French midfielder is being linked with a switch to Real Madrid.

Solskjaer added: “There might be a campaign, but in my talks with Paul he’s always been positive.

“I don’t see a difference in him when I chat to him. He’s focused on performing and he’s a proud player. He always gives his best.”

Ahead of today’s teatime visit of West Ham, United’s boss bizarrely claimed Ander Herrera could be injured because he is worried about his future.

The Spanish midfielder, 29, has not agreed a new deal with United amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

Solskjaer said: “Maybe the future might have been worrying him and that’s part of the reason he’s injured.

“Who knows? He doesn’t know, because he got a different injury, hopefully he can be available for Chelsea or City but I’m not sure.”

Herrera, whose United deal is up this summer, got a hamstring injury against Liverpool on February 24.

He returned against Wolves and Watford this month but then got a thigh injury in training last weekend.