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Tag: Solskjaer

  • Why Man Utd signed Jadon Sancho – Solskjaer

    Why Man Utd signed Jadon Sancho – Solskjaer

    Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says they’ve signed Jadon Sancho for the long-term.

    The England winger’s £73m move from Borussia Dortmund was confirmed this morning.

    Solskjaer told manutd.com: “Jadon is a signing that we expect to stay at Man United for many, many years, so it’s also that part of it that we have a young, up-and-coming forward line. There will be injuries and there are always players that you need to give a rest to.

    “For example, you can’t win a Euros that lasts for four weeks with 11 or 12 players – never mind when you’ve got the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup… it’s a long season and this has strengthened our squad and I’m sure everyone will see that.

    “I think he made a good decision going to the Bundesliga, it was probably the right step for him, the right level and right club. I think Dortmund have shown so many times what they can do for young talent and in the Bundesliga what that can do. The Premier League is a different animal though. I don’t want to sound disrespectful to the Bundesliga, but I think the Premier League is a step up.

    “We’ve seen that in the last few years in the Premier League, and the teams that have got to finals in Europe and won them, it’s shown it’s the place to be and that’s where Jadon wanted to be. He’s been in England of course, at Watford and over on the other side of the city as well, so he knows what’s expected from him.”

  • Why Man Utd targeting Varane to assist Solskjaer shake-up

    Why Man Utd targeting Varane to assist Solskjaer shake-up

    Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has plans for a major tactical shake-up this season.

    ESPN reports Solskjaer is preparing his Manchester United players for a big change in tactics for the coming season in favour of an ultra-attacking 4-3-3 formation.

    The Norwegian is considering doing away with his trusted midfield partnership of Fred and Scott McTominay and will play just one holding midfielder in order to find a way to play new signing Jadon Sancho and star midfielders Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes in the same starting 11.

    And the report says that the club must sign a top, ball-playing centreback to make the plan work, with Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane top of the club’s list.

    A three-man midfield could also throw a lifeline to Donny van de Beek, who only made a desperately disappointing four Premier League starts last season following a £40m move from Ajax.

  • Copa America final caps great season from Fred – Solskjaer

    Copa America final caps great season from Fred – Solskjaer

    Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Fred deserves special recognition for his role in helping Brazil reach the final of Copa America.

    The United midfielder has played a key role in helping the Selecao set up a massive clash with fierce rivals Argentina in the early hours of Sunday morning.

    “I have to put particular praise to Fred,” Solskjaer told manutd/.com. “I’ve got to say, at the end of the season, he got an injury in the last league game. We thought he wouldn’t make it for the [Europa League] final as he didn’t train the whole week before our own final, and he’s just put his head down and worked really hard.

    “He trained the day before the final and came on and played.

    “He’s just played throughout the summer and that’s some going. Some players with that injury wouldn’t be in training football now. He’s been a credit to Manchester United and himself in the way he’s conducted himself.”

  • EPL: Man Utd coach decides Paul Pogba’s future

    EPL: Man Utd coach decides Paul Pogba’s future

    Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants Paul Pogba to stay next season.

    The midfielder, who is currently with France’s squad preparing for Euro 2020, has just one-year remaining on his deal after United opted to trigger a 12-month extension.

    With just a year before he will be able to leave on a free, the United boss is fully aware his situation will need to be resolved and has hinted the club already know his Pogba stance.

    “We want the best players here, and the club knows what I want,” Solskjaer told TV2.

    “I do not know how the dialogue goes, but if we are to fight for the best trophies, we must have the best players.”

  • Cavani deal does not end striker search – Solskjaer

    Cavani deal does not end striker search – Solskjaer

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in the market for a new striker signing.

    Solskjaer was desperate to tie Edinson Cavani down for another 12 months, with his old deal set to expire next month.

    But despite landing his man for another year, the Norwegian is not done yet and is keen on bolstering the position further.

    Solskjaer told TV2: “It was very important, because we have not seen close to his best yet.

    “He came here in October and had not played football in seven months.

    “It takes time to get in shape, even if he takes care of himself.

    “He got some injuries and little things that bothered him, and it is only recently that we have begun to see some of the best of him.

    “When he gets this experience and a run-up, he will be better than this year, despite the fact that he is getting older.”

    But Solskjaer remains keen on adding further to his attack – the question is whether he goes all out for a new undisputed first choice, or a younger striker to develop.

    With the likes of Harry Kane and Erling Haaland linked, Solskjaer added: “I am very happy that it has happened.

    “But that does not mean that we are not looking for someone who can challenge or learn from him [Cavani].”

  • I owe my career to Alex Ferguson – Solskjaer

    I owe my career to Alex Ferguson – Solskjaer

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits he owes Sir Alex Ferguson his career.

    The Norweigian shined for United as a striker under Ferguson’s tutelage in the 1990s and 2000s.

    Solskjaer, who is taking charge of his first final as United boss against Villarreal in the Europa League on Wednesday.

    Asked about the value of Sir Alex, who travelled with United to Gdansk for the game, Solskjaer told reporters during a pre-match press conference: “He flew out with us yesterday.

    “Some of us, some of the players and some of the staff went to see his documentary, or Jason’s documentary about his dad. I sat there thinking about this man and what he’s done for the club. I’m sure Luke, sitting next to me, felt the same.

    “He’s a special man. He’s like an encyclopaedia of football, even though I got him on a quiz question yesterday… and one of the players got the answer before him, so I’m not sure he’s happy with that!

    “Just to have him around when we eat in the restaurant, I’m sure the players if they wonder about something, they can ask him.

    “He’s always about for a chat because this is the club of his heart. I hope he is going to enjoy it tomorrow night because I have to say I owe most of my career to him.”

  • There’s still hope Martial can make Europa final – Solskjaer

    There’s still hope Martial can make Europa final – Solskjaer

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Anthony Martial could yet make next week’s Europa League final against Villarreal.

    Despite being omitted from France’s 26 players for the European Championships this summer because of a knee injury, the 25-year-old striker has not been ruled out by Solskjaer for the showpiece climax to our campaign in Poland.

    It seems the striker himself won’t give up the fight to be in contention for next week either.

    “We have still got a little bit of hope for Anthony,” said Solskjaer, in his post-match press conference following our 1-1 draw with Fulham.

    “We are hoping. He is working really hard. We are hoping he will be available for the final. He has worked really hard. He has been very thorough. Very enthusiastic. I can’t say that he won’t be fit for the final but, of course, he has been out for a long time. I am still hopeful.”

  • Solskjaer explains offloading four Man Utd players to Serie A

    Solskjaer explains offloading four Man Utd players to Serie A

    Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended offloading his senior players to Serie A.

    Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku and Ashley Young were moved to Inter, and were joined by another former United teammate Matteo Darmian this season.

    “Every manager has their own focus and priorities,” Solskjaer told Sky Sports. “Those players are top players, top professionals.

    “You can look at them and wish them all the best. But I made a decision, together with the club, that I wanted to have a different team.

    “I’m not the one to talk about the evolution and compare one team to another. The proof is in the results.

    “That’s the only way we can convince the fans that we are doing the right thing. But, for me, the team now is looking more like a team that I feel responsible for.”

  • Mata will decide his Man Utd future – Solskjaer

    Mata will decide his Man Utd future – Solskjaer

    Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can’t guarantee Juan Mata staying next season.

    Mata will be out of contract at the end of next month and the 33-year-old Spaniard is in talks with the club over his next move.

    Mata has only made seven appearances this year and was given compassionate leave before his mother passed away at the end of March.

    But Solskjaer insists that the final decision will be left with Mata, a £37.1million signing from Chelsea in January 2014.

    “I’ve kept the dialogue with Juan and we’re due to speak again very soon,” said the United boss.

    “Of course he’s not played as much as he would like and that’s a decision we will make with him.

    “He’s in charge of his own future, he’s been such a good servant for the club. But it’s hard to leave good players and good people out of the team, and it’s about what does he want as his next step in his career.

    “Is it to play his career out here or is it to go somewhere else? We haven’t made the final decision yet.”

  • Solskjaer reveals ‘good chats’ with Cavani about Man Utd stay

    Solskjaer reveals ‘good chats’ with Cavani about Man Utd stay

    Manchester United manager Old Gunnar Solskjaer admits there’s been no progress with Edinson Cavani’s new contract talks.

    Solskjaer was asked for an update at today’s Europa League presser.

    “We’ve had some good chats lately and even though the decision is still in his court, I’m still hopeful,” said Solskjaer.

    And on Thursday’s game, for which his side have a 6-2 lead against Roma from the first leg: “As a team, we need to improve. We know we’re not going into a game playing on the result, we need to go in playing on that game. That’s the only way we should play those games.

    “There’ll be one or two changes in selection because of the games coming up. Everyone’s saying it’s done but it’s not, I’ve seen bigger upsets than this.”