Manchester United transfer news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he has club's backing to sign players but warned there's no quick fix to catching Liverpool
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he has the club's backing to sign players in January, but warned there's no quick fix for Manchester United's problems.
Solskjaer says he will only add to his current squad if he can find the right players, but admitted that they need reinforcements as his young side struggle with consistency.
The Red Devils were hugely out gunned against Manchester City in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Old Trafford, which brought the huge quality gap between the two into sharp focus.
Without injured £80million centre-back Harry Maguire United's defence was also looking confused and unprepared to face City's 'false nine' line-up with Bernarndo Silva running the game from that position.
Solskjaer has stressed there is no quick fix to restoring the club's fortunes and while short-term options are open to him he did not sound overly confident the solutions would be found in this transfer window.
"We are a young team and with the injuries we've had and illness it shows more and that's something we are looking at," said Solskjaer.
"If there is something there for us I've got the backing to do something but if it is not the right thing we won't do anything."
Where do #MUFC need to strengthen?
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 4, 2019
"The club has probably had a plan since the summer and the year before."
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to meet @ManUtd chief Ed Woodward over January signings: https://t.co/iUriEUxFD8 pic.twitter.com/xlhso31oSx
No quick fix to catch top two
Asked about comparisons with City and Liverpool, not only technically but from a character point of view, and how United can close the gap the Red Devils boss added: "I've said before it's not going to be a quick fix, the two teams you are talking about are two of the best teams in the world.
"That's the task we've started and you can see we are still a way off but we've started something that needed doing.
Man Utd transfer targets (To sign for before 3rd February 2020 - odds via Sky Bet)
- Emra Can - 11/4
- James maddison - 3/1
- Jadon Sancho - 6/1
- Christian Eriksen - 8/1
- Gareth Bale - 12/1
"It's natural that your head goes down when you don't feel that you are performing but have to get out of it quicker, we have to get to that second-half mentality (against City) quicker. It can't be me coming in at half-time.
"This is a young team and we are still learning and these experiences must stick, the second half gives me something to believe in because that is respectable and a good second half."
Ashley Young to Inter?
Speculation emerged on Tuesday linking Ashley Young with Inter Milan but Solskjaer insists they cannot afford to allow players to leave if it is going to have a detrimental effect on the squad.
"We need the players we have in the squad," he said.
"We've got a few months left of the season and we can't weaken ourselves, we need to strengthen if any movement is going to happen."
Solskjaer is optimistic Maguire, missing with a foot injury sustained in the goalless FA Cup draw at Wolves, will not be out for too long and is confident Phil Jones' problem late on was only minor.
🗣️ "Tonight's not the time to talk about players leaving."
— Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) January 7, 2020
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has indicated Manchester United will resist any major outgoings in the January window amid Inter's interest in Ashley Young. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/sEQFuPBtsL
"We don't know (about Maguire). He's not going to be long term but I don't think he'll be ready for the weekend but let's see."
On Jones he added: "Cramp. It's his first 90 mins for a while (since October) and he came through it."
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