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Tag: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

  • I made the right decision to bench Ronaldo – Solskjaer

    I made the right decision to bench Ronaldo – Solskjaer

    Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has said he does not regret resting Cristiano Ronaldo for their 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday.

    Solskjaer’s men bungled the chance to go top of the Premier League after Andros Townsend cancelled out Anthony Martial’s opener.

    Yerry Mina’s late winner for the Toffees was ruled out for offside by VAR late in the game,

    Solskjaer’s decision to start Ronaldo on the bench has since been criticized, with his team only winning just two of their last six games in all competitions.

    But the Norwegian defended that call, claiming he has to manage the workload of the players.

    “You make decisions throughout the season, you’ve got to manage the players’ workload.

    “The decision was, for me, the correct one today,” Solskjaer said.

  • Solskjaer confirms Ronaldo will feature against Newcastle

    Solskjaer confirms Ronaldo will feature against Newcastle

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that returning star Cristiano Ronaldo will make his second Manchester United FC debut in Saturday’s Old Trafford homecoming against Newcastle United.

    The 36-year-old returned to the club he excelled for during six medal-laden seasons on deadline day, signing a two-year deal with the option of a further season.

    Ronaldo has been training with the club this week and will feature when Newcastle United arrive at a bouncing Old Trafford in Saturday’s eagerly-anticipated Premier League encounter.

    “He’s been having a good pre-season with Juventus, he’s played for the national team, and he’s had a good week with us here,” the Manchester United manager said on Friday.

    “He will definitely be on the pitch at some point, that’s for sure.”

    Asked about Ronaldo’s first few days back at the club, Solskjaer said: “Yeah, he’s been good.

    “Of course we’ve followed his career from afar since he left here and I think everyone’s very, very happy to have him back.

    “He can speak for himself, but he seems like he’s happy to be back as well.

    “The mood’s been very good, he’s worked well and we’re looking forward to Saturday, of course.”

    The Norwegian said onlookers were “confused” rather than him as the Portuguese adds a new level of quality to the squad, both physically and mentally.

    “We have grown as a group the last few years, I have to say,” Solskjaer said. “The determination, the desire, the focus has improved over time and bit by bit.

    “Even like bringing Raphael (Varane) in, he’s come in with a winner’s mentality, an unbelievable focus.

    “Then of course Cristiano comes in as well and there’s no place to hide when you’ve got winners like them. You can’t go into training and give 95 per cent or not being focused.

    “That’s what he demands of himself and of everyone else. So, it’s been great having him in.”

    Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce is hoping his players can spoil the former Real Madrid and Juventus star’s big afternoon.

    Bruce said: “It’s always going to be tough and obviously the added spice of Ronaldo coming back has added to it”.

    Manchester United’s recapture of Ronaldo has been the talk of football since news of their sensational swoop emerged a fortnight ago.

    So, Bruce is in little doubt as to what he will bring to the mix.

    He said: “You’re not going to be voted the best player in the world for… him and (Lionel) Messi have dominated that stage now for the last 15 years, is it?

    “He’s been quite a remarkable player, how he’s looked after himself. The goals he’s scored at every club he’s played for is quite remarkable.

    “That, quite rightly in my opinion, makes him the best player in the world. It’s a terrific signing by Manchester United.”

  • Solskjaer personally blocked Van de Beek move to Everton

    Solskjaer personally blocked Van de Beek move to Everton

    Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer personally intervened to block Donny van de Beek leaving on deadline day, it has been revealed.

    AD says Everton and United had agreed terms over a season-long loan arrangement for the Holland international.

    Van de Beek had also accepted the move and was ready to join the Toffees only for Solskjaer to personally intervene.

    The midfielder had asked to be allowed to make the switch, but the request was rejected by his manager.

    Van de Beek has managed just 511 minutes as a United player since last year’s arrival from Ajax.

  • Europa: Man Utd ‘full of confidence’ after brushing Granada – Solskjaer

    Europa: Man Utd ‘full of confidence’ after brushing Granada – Solskjaer

    Manchester United will face Roma in the Europa League semi-final after they secured a 2-0 win over Granada.

    Leading 2-0 from the first leg in Spain, it took only six minutes for United to all but put the tie to bed at Old Trafford.

    Edinson Cavani continued his form from the weekend’s win over Spurs by finishing smartly after latching onto Paul Pogba’s flicked header.

    It was the 34-year-old’s ninth goal of the season, and talks over his future will undoubtedly intensify over the coming weeks as his contract winds to a close.

    Pogba was replaced at half-time by Donny van de Beek after he received a needless yellow card for a late tackle on Yangel Herrera.

    Granada gave it their all but United got the next goal of the game in stoppage time, an own goal from Jesus Vallejo after he turned in Alex Telles’ cross.

    Speaking after the game, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told BT Sport: “Granada do give you a game. It’s a physical game, they throw people forward. You have to defend in these kind of games.

    “2-0, clean sheet, some good individual performances. We’re full of confidence going into Sunday [against Burnley].”

  • EPL: Solskjaer fires warning at Man Utd players

    EPL: Solskjaer fires warning at Man Utd players

    Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a warning for some players who believe they’re bigger than the club.

    Without naming names, Solskjaer has publicly told any player who believes he’s bigger than his teammates to find himself a new club.

    Referring to his own approach while a player with United, the manager told VG: “As a super-sub, as I was called a lot, I helped us win the extra points that helped us not to be number two, but league champion.

    “I try to make everyone on my team understand that they are involved and contribute in their own way. Then there are some who want to be the big fish in a small pond. Then maybe it’s time to go.

    “Here there is a large pond, but it is not just big fish in it.”

  • Solskjaer explains Cavani’s half-time substitution

    Solskjaer explains Cavani’s half-time substitution

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has explained his decision to substitute Edinson Cavani at half-time during United’s 9-0 thrashing of Southampton.

    United moved level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table after a comprehensive victory against the Saints on Tuesday night.

    Alex Jankewitz was shown a straight red for a rash challenge on McTominay and the floodgates opened thereafter, with Jan Bednarek, who scored an own goal just after the half-hour mark, also being sent off late in the second half after bringing down Martial in the box.

    United made their numerical advantage count in ruthless fashion, which allowed Solskjaer to ring the changes at the interval.

    A few eyebrows were raised when the Norwegian removed Cavani for Martial though, with the Uruguayan having headed home his sixth goal of the season in the 39th minute to cap a superb first-half display.

    However, Solskjaer revealed post-match that the 33-year-old was withdrawn as a precaution after picking up a knock, which he is hopeful will not keep the striker out of action for any length of time.

    “Edinson got a bad tackle on his ankle so he had to come off,” the Red Devils boss, whose side face Everton at home on Saturday, told BT Sport. “He probably would have loved to be out there scoring goals. But there was no point in taking any risks.

    “Hopefully, it won’t swell up too much.”

  • Bruno Fernandes may need rest – Solskjaer

    Bruno Fernandes may need rest – Solskjaer

    Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer defended Bruno Fernandes after a flat performance for their Carabao Cup semifinal defeat to Manchester City.

    Indeed, Solskjaer admits he may withdraw Fernandes from the front line for a rest ahead of their FA Cup third round tie with Watford this weekend.

    On the game last night, the United manager had no complaints with City’s passage to the final, insisting they deserved the 2-0 win, though admits they lacked a creative edge on the night.

    He wants to play every game, Bruno,” added Ole. “Of course, it’s a long season.

    Let’s see what team we come with on Saturday so I’ll have a chat with him about how he feels.

  • Man Utd players must get addicted to winning – Solskjaer

    Man Utd players must get addicted to winning – Solskjaer

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says it’s time for his players to start becoming addicted to winning.

    For Solskjaer, a serial winner in his playing days, knows the importance of a first trophy triumph ahead of their Carabao Cup semifinal against Manchester City.

    “‘We want to go one step further,” he said.

    “I speak from my own experience. When I won the first league at Man United, it becomes a drug celebrating with your teammates on the pitch with a trophy. It becomes a thing. You become addicted to winning.

    “You play football to win trophies, even though when you get your hands on that trophy you just move onto the next one. It gives you the hunger to get more. For this team, it would be a very big step.

    “I think we’ve improved immensely in a year since the last semi (against City) and even when we were in Europe in August.

    “Sometimes it’s about fine margins and sometimes it’s about quality, and we are a better team now. We have added some players in our group that hopefully can give us that extra edge compared to last season.

    “But it’s not just learning to win semis. We’ve also earned the right to feel we can go all the way with our performances. Hopefully we can make it one step further this time.

    “We are confident. We’re going into the game in good form, so there’s no excuses.”

  • Solskjaer reacts as Man Utd appoints new coach

    Solskjaer reacts as Man Utd appoints new coach

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reacted after the club confirmed the arrival of a new coach, Darren Fletcher.

    Solskjaer said Fletcher would be a great addition to Man United’s coaching staff, adding that the 36-year-old knows what it takes to be a Red Devils player.

    Manchester United had announced on Monday that Fletcher would join Solskjaer’s first-team coaching staff.

    “Darren has the United DNA running through his veins, and he knows exactly what it takes to be a Manchester United player,” Solskjaer said as quoted by Man United’s official website.

    “He’s at the start of his coaching career, and his experience both on and off the pitch along with his winning mentality, commitment and hard work will be a great addition to the staff.”

    Reacting, Fletcher, who spent 20 successful years at Old Trafford as a player said, “I’m looking forward to taking the next steps in my coaching career by working with Ole and his staff.”

  • Solskjaer willing to offload senior Man Utd trio

    Solskjaer willing to offload senior Man Utd trio

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is prepared to oversee the departures of several senior players this month.

    Sky Sports says Solskjaer may be set for a clearout ahead of the January transfer window.

    United would be interested in hearing offers for Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Sergio Romero.

    Rojo has yet to make a single senior appearance this season as he is nursing a calf injury.

    The same goes for Jones, who has fallen down the pecking order in Solskjaer’s defence, whereas Romero has become the third-choice goalkeeper behind David de Gea and Dean Henderson