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Tag: Solskjaer

  • Solskjaer defends Maguire after calling teammate ‘idiot’

    Solskjaer defends Maguire after calling teammate ‘idiot’

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had no problems with Harry Maguire and Fred’s on-pitch argument during the goalless draw against Leeds United.

    The pair could be heard engaging in an expletive-ridden rant in the second half at Elland Road, with Maguire being heard calling his teammate a ‘f*cking idiot’.

    But Solskjaer says the incident was evidence of the winning mentality of his players.

    He said: “We have got a group that demands a lot of each other. The standard is high, both on training and in a game, it is not just about being a nice guy.

    “We demand maximum effort. I was really proud of how strong we looked. I never thought they threatened our goal in the second half but we missed a little bit of spark to win the game.”

  • European Super League a bad idea – Solskjaer

    European Super League a bad idea – Solskjaer

    Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has branded the Super League a “bad idea”.

    Solskjaer discussed the week’s events today.

    “I am happy the fans have voiced their opinion and we have listened to them,” he said. “It has brought the football pyramid together.

    “I am a supporter myself. There will be a day when I come back and watch Man Utd. I didn’t like the concept.

    “We have been pioneers. We had the Busby Babes. We want to be part of European campaigns. But you can’t just give it out because of your name. You have to earn the right to be there. You need a fear of failure. That wasn’t there. It was a bad idea.”

    Solskjaer also spoke of Ed Woodward’s resignation as vice-chairman.

    “Football is emotions and emotions run high in football,” said Solskjaer.

    “I’ve had a very good working relationship with Ed, the club will have to move on without him and I’m sure Manchester United will always move on.

    “I’ll work as long as Manchester United want me to work here and hopefully we can end this season successfully and Ed is part of that.”

  • I’ve told Cavani I want to see him – Solskjaer

    I’ve told Cavani I want to see him – Solskjaer

    Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits he wants to see Edinson Cavani play in front of a full Stretford End.

    Cavani is off contract in June and leaning towards leaving Old Trafford.

    After victory over Tottenham on Sunday, Solskjaer said: “We’ve had up front and honest meetings.

    “It’s no secret we want to keep him. I don’t think it’s any secret too that this has been a difficult year for everyone.

    “With the pandemic it’s not been possible to have friends over, family over without quarantine. You can’t travel.

    “He’s not been able to experience the fantastic culture in Manchester and in and around in England, and he is contemplating and thinking hard and long about what he wants to do and I understand.

    “He knows what we want; I want him in Old Trafford when it’s full, Stretford End scoring a diving header like today. There’s no better feeling, so let’s wait and see.”

  • Man Utd coach responds to Haaland transfer talks

    Man Utd coach responds to Haaland transfer talks

    Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would not comment on whether the Red Devils will be making a move for Dortmund striker Erling Haaland but did suggest that there are only a certain number of teams who are capable of signing the forward.

    United tried to sign the Norwegian last season but he opted for a move to the Bundesliga instead and while the club remain interested in adding the forward to their squad, Solskjaer was giving little away.

    Solskjaer told a press conference ahead of the game against Brighton: “Well, I’m focusing on the next two months and whatever happens in the world of football there is only so many places anyone can go to.

    “As I said, we focus on the ones who are here and even though I worked with Erling it’s not right for me as Man United manager to talk about Erling. I can talk about him as an ex-coach of his, but he will make his own mind up.”

  • Solskjaer defends Bruno Fernandes decision

    Solskjaer defends Bruno Fernandes decision

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stands by his decision to rest Bruno Fernandes.

    The Red Devils midfielder did not start in their FA Cup quarter final defeat to Leicester City on Sunday.

    United could have booked a place in the semi finals, where they would have played Southampton.

    Instead, they were second best throughout the contest at Leicester, and eventually lost 3-1.

    Asked about Fernandes only coming off the bench in the second half, Solskjaer told reporters: “Every team selection has reasons behind it. Bruno has played very, very much football. He broke all his records on Thursday night [at the San Siro] physically statistically, and the boy is not inhuman.

    “He’s also a human being, he’s played a game every three or four days really. It was a chance to start to both Donny [van de Beek] and Paul [Pogba].

    “The accumulation of games maybe caught up with us.

    “I know Bruno wants to play but sometimes you make decisions for the benefit of both the team and him.”

  • Solskjaer making us all happy – Man Utd director

    Solskjaer making us all happy – Man Utd director

    Manchester United director Richard Arnold has heaped praise on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

    Solskjaer has United well placed to ensure qualification for Champions League football next season, and while he has overseen frustratingly inconsistent spells of form, the Norwegian retains the full support of the club’s hierarchy.

    “Ole is the ultimate exemplar of … someone in Manchester United who has tremendous character, is incredibly well connected with the culture and history of the club,” Arnold said.

    “No one in the world is happier than me with the phenomenal success he is bringing.

    “When you’re inside (the club) and you are seeing the work of the man and the character, it just makes you so happy. He deserves to succeed, and he is, and that makes me very happy.”

  • I’ll speak to Haaland privately – Haaland

    I’ll speak to Haaland privately – Haaland

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says it was ‘only a matter of time’ before countrymen Erling Haaland eclipsed his own tally of Champions League goals.

    Haaland scored twice to fire Borussia Dortmund past Sevilla and into the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

    The 20-year-old now has 20 goals in the Champions League, overtaking Solskaer’s tally of 19.

    Speaking about Haaland at his press conference on Wednesday, Solskjaer said: “It was just a matter of time before he scored more goals than me in the Champions League.

    “At the age of 20 to achieve the amount of goals he has is fantastic, there’s not many more superlatives anyone can use. Whatever I want to say to him I’ll say in Norwegian directly to him.

    “I’ve never been one to look back at records and think about it. Now it’s, ‘You’re the first manager to do this to win this’ and my focus is always on improving and getting better.

    “Unfortunately I can’t play football anymore and Erling can only work on improving and keep on scoring. My focus is only on improving Man Utd so I’ll gladly give away all my records to improve what I’m doing now.”

  • Man Utd pair Cavani and Bailly seeking answers from Solskjaer

    Man Utd pair Cavani and Bailly seeking answers from Solskjaer

    Manchester United pair Edinson Cavani and Eric Bailly are concerned over their futures at Old Trafford.

    The Sun says Uruguay striker Cavani, 34, is keen to stay at the Manchester club next season but has not received any assurances from the Red Devils hierarchy.

    While frustrated centre-back Bailly wants ‘honesty’ from boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over his first-team status.

    Cavani, who is considering a return to South America with Boca Juniors in Argentina, wants to know how a new frontman would impact on his role at the Theatre of Dreams. His £9million-a-year contract has a one-year option with both parties able to trigger the extension.

    That means Cavani, who has scored seven goals this season, could walk away if he wishes.

    Ivory Coast defender Bailly, 26, had told team-mates how he does not believe he is getting equal treatment from the Old Trafford boss.

    A dressing room source said: “Eric doesn’t feel he has any trust from Ole and he thinks that’s unfair.

    “He wants the coach to have confidence in him and back him up but he feels he isn’t being protected at all and that hurts.”

  • Solskjaer always fighting doubters – Fred

    Solskjaer always fighting doubters – Fred

    Manchester United midfielder Fred says it’s no secret manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has had to battle doubters.

    Fred says Solskjaer was always going to be under extreme scrutiny in the Old Trafford hotseat – but says he is becoming a better manager every day.

    “With each passing day, you see his evolution,” Fred told ESPN Brazil. “I really like to see him here. I think there will always be distrust.

    “You being in a big club like this one, a lot of people want to see you badly, there’s no way. But you have to stay strong and I think he has a good head.”

    Fred added: “He was a player, he’s been on this side.

    “So he knows how to deal with us. He talks a lot with the players. I think this is what sets him apart.

    “He’s always playing with us, supporting us, helping us in positioning, on a daily basis. He’s a guy who’s always close and this is very important for the player.”

  • Man Utd will keep fighting for title – Solskjaer

    Man Utd will keep fighting for title – Solskjaer

    Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his team will keep fighting to catch Manchester City.

    The Red Devils dropped two more points as they drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace.

    United have now drawn with the same scoreline in their past three matches in all competitions.

    They take on City on Sunday in what may be their last chance to close the gap before the end of the season.

    Asked about the result against Palace and the rest of the campaign, Solskjaer told reporters: “It’s not what we want but that’s football.

    “We’re in the Premier League and you have to play better to win games.

    “We know we’re in a battle to be as high in the table as possible and we’ve seen other results sometimes go like we don’t expect.

    “We know we’re in a fight and we need to pick up every point we can.”