Manchester United legend Sammy McIlroy has called on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be more ambitious with his midfield selection in tomorrow’s big game against Liverpool.

Liverpool have been in ominous form this season, scoring at least three in every away game, while United’s rocky recent home form needs no further discussion. The pressure on Solskjaer has been mounting, with speculation about his future beginning to fill newspaper columns, and McIlroy believes that tomorrow is an opportune time for United to make a statement.

“These games are unpredictable, Liverpool or Manchester City, but they matter so much, especially to supporters,” he said, exclusively to TalkOfTheDevils. “We’ve got to show that we’re getting closer to them. These two teams, and even Chelsea now, are the teams we’ve got to get close to, and this is such an important game.”

Scott McTominay and Fred have been Solskjaer’s trusted pair in midfield for big games but they have come under criticism with the defence not always looking protected as it ought to for having two defensive players in front of them – and McIlroy believes that even though it is one of those big games the pair have usually done well in, the manager needs to make a statement by being more ambitious.

“I personally would look to play a more creative midfielder,” McIlroy, who won the FA Cup against Liverpool in 1977, said. “We play two holding midfielders no matter who we play, the majority of the time, and I don’t think we should… it’s only my opinion, but especially at home, even against Liverpool, we should still look to be creating from midfield.”

One thing that Solskjaer does have in his favour is that good record in big games. And McIlroy believes that it could count in his favour when kick-off comes around tomorrow.

“Every manager at Manchester United is under pressure,” he says. “Ole’s got a good record against big teams and I’ve always felt that Klopp has come to Old Trafford in the past and almost seemed to have been frightened. They’ve come to our ground in the past on good runs and don’t look half the team when it comes to the game. I’m not saying we should go hung ho and leave ourselves exposed but I think if United are positive, they can have a real go and upset them.”