Dwight Yorke has claimed that the criticism of his former Manchester United teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer "from within the game" stems from "jealousy".

Solskjaer led the Red Devils to three semi-finals last term, in addition to a third-place finish in the Premier League table, while the club are currently top of the league, two points clear of second-placed Manchester City.

There remain question marks surrounding the Norwegian's long-term future at Old Trafford, though, with the 47-year-old's credentials still a topic of debate.

Yorke, who famously won the treble alongside Solskjaer at the club, has insisted that "pure jealousy" fuels the criticism of his former teammate.

"There is a lot of jealousy towards Ole from within the game. People don't want to see him be successful for some reason," Yorke told The Sun. "I have been looking at it and listening to people talk about the football club and it is pure jealousy.

"He did not do great at Cardiff and managed Molde then gets one of the top jobs in world football. People in football are begging for an opportunity and he has got this one, he's won the jackpot."

United will be bidding to book their spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup when they take on Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday evening.