Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer defends players after FA charge for protesting against Liverpool

Roberto Firmino fouled David De Gea before scoring, which enraged United’s players

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended his Manchester United players despite receiving a Football Association charge for excessively protesting to a match official.

A number of United players crowded around referee Craig Pawson after Roberto Firmino appeared to have scored Liverpool's second goal at Anfield on Sunday.

David de Gea had failed to claim a high ball in the build-up under pressure from Virgil van Dijk, and De Gea was among those who forcefully protested to Pawson.

The decision to award the goal was ultimately overturned by VAR, though United went on to lose 2-0 regardless conceding a stoppage-time Mohamed Salah goal.

United were charged by the FA on Tuesday morning and have until Thursday to respond, but Solskjaer believes the decision to overturn the goal vindicates his players.

"Maybe I shouldn't talk too much about that," the United manager said. "Let's get that decision done but... it's overturned. I reacted myself because everybody could see it was a foul."

Victor Lindelof is a doubt for Wednesday's game against Burnley after being sent home from training ill. Eric Bailly, Phil Jones or even Luke Shaw may need to partner Harry Maguire in defence.

"We played Burnley three and a half weeks ago," said Solskjaer. "We had to work really hard to get the points and defended really well. Every time we play against Sean's [Dyche] team we have to earn it.

"Last season here was the first time I saw the players coming back from a setback. We were 2-0 down with seven minutes to go and got back in with two each, so we have to approach this game as if they've won five in a row."