OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER says he is pitching realistic and sensible transfer targets to Ed Woodward as the Manchester United boss looks to build a title-challenging side – one he hopes Paul Pogba will commit his long-term future to.
FA Cup, Europa League and Champions League qualification remain within United’s grasp, but their intention to build towards a Premier League title tilt could be hampered by the impact of Covid-19.
Executive vice-chairman Woodward has warned it might not be “business as usual” in the transfer market and said “speculation around transfers of individual players for hundreds of millions of pounds this summer seems to ignore the realities that face the sport”.
United continue to be linked with countless signings, but the surprisingly low fee that saw Leroy Sane switch Manchester City for Bayern Munich last week suggested a move away from the inflated transfer values seen in recent years.
“There’s got to be realism,” Solskjaer said. “I think the whole world has changed, both financially and the perception that we’ve got on values.
So every time I put the case in front of Ed, I think it’s a sensible one and it’s a realistic one.
“I think I’ve proven to the club that I’ve always got the club in the front of my mind and the best for the club. I don’t think short term or personally this would fit me for a short space of time.
“I’ll always think long term and try to be making good deals. I’m always quite careful with money, my own personal money as well.”
Striking a good deal could be tough given the uncertain backdrop, but speculation continues over, among others, a summer move for Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish.
The 24-year-old faces United on Thursday and will be looking to repeat his standout display in December’s 2-2 draw at Old Trafford to kickstart struggling Villa’s hopes of beating the drop.
Solskjaer knows his players have to be “aware” of the threat posed by Grealish, who it was suggested has the chance to audition for a move to United.
“Everyone’s said that we’ve got easy games in the run in because of this, that or the other,” Solskjaer said. “We know it’s not the case.
“Every time any player plays against Man United it’s a challenge, first of all because Man United is a bigger team but also the whole world is watching.
It’s not just playing in front of Man United supporters or manager or team, it’s for himself. You want to prove to your family and yourself that you’re a good player, so I can’t answer any different than that.”
The PA news agency understands United have looked at the impressive attacking midfielder as a potential signing but their priorities may well lie elsewhere given the way their attacking unit has flourished.
Solskjaer was coy on United’s priorities at a press conference in which a potential contract extension for Pogba was broached following fellow midfielders Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic signing new deals.
The 27-year-old expressed his openness to an exit last summer, but the market has changed due to the coronavirus pandemic and the midfielder appears to be enjoying his football towards the end of an injury-hit season.
Pogba’s contract expires next summer – although it is unthinkable that the club will not invoke their one-year extension clause – and Solskjaer would like him to sign extended terms.
Asked if plans are in place to try and get Pogba to sign a new deal, Solskjaer said: “Well, I can’t comment on discussions between players and the club.
But of course we want to keep the best players around the club. We want to build a squad for the future.
“Scott and Nemanja, they’re in a similar position but at different stages in their careers. One at the start, one really experienced. We also need players in that mid-range group, so hopefully we can do something.
“I know that since Paul’s come back now he’s looking better and better. He’s just enjoying his football and let’s see where it takes us.”
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Aussies, known for their sportsmanship, not.
@Minom Pnnomm: will all the bookies pay back the money on bets!!
Don’t know if the fans can handle all this excitement…….
Maybe the ball has asthma….
It’s just not Cricket!
Except it was!
It wouldn’t be the first time an Australian was caught playing with their balls…. In this case it’s safe to say it wasn’t a G’day for the bowler!!!
Most exciting thing to happen in the game for yonks
Such a disappointment for the fans.
Takes away from the game when you’re embarrassed/ashamed instead of proud of your team. Anyways, this too shall pass
I don’t like cricket…. I love it!
Really stupid to cheat the way they did when there are so many camera on them
@Nick Allen: So its ok to cheat away from the cameras?
A bit of moral ambivilance there Nick why am I not surprised?
@Jarlath Murphy:
You know perfectly well what he meant,
A bit early for you to qualify for the days dumbest comment.
@P.J. Nolan: agreed
@Jarlath Murphy:
I should have expected that response from you, if you are going to try and go after me then at least try to do it properly. Please clarify where I said it was okay to cheat.
@P.J. Nolan:
Nicely put
@P.J. Nolan: No I think you already won that accolade!
@P.J. Nolan: No I think you won that accolade!
@Nick Allen: “Really stupid to cheat THAT way”
Is there an alright way to cheat?
@Jarlath Murphy:
So which comment did he make which tops your stupid comment?
@Minom Pnnomm: Well done dont forget to sign back in again and agree with yourself!
@Jarlath Murphy:
I didn’t say it was alright to cheat, I said it was really stupid to cheat that way because he was bound to get caught with all the cameras. If you are going to cheat it would make sense to do it in a way that minimises the chances of getting caught. That doesn’t mean I condone the behaviour it simply points out how dumb it is.
@Nick Allen:
So dumb as in likely to get caught which would imply it would be cleverer to do it in a way that he wouldn’t get caught?
Why not just say it was wrong to cheat?
@Jarlath Murphy: Time to step away from the keyboard. You’re just embarrassing yourself now.
@Jarlath Murphy:
You are obviously struggling with understanding the difference between being ‘dumb’ and having integrity (totally understandable). Of course it is wrong to cheat but I wasn’t commenting on whether cheating is wrong or not, I was commenting on how dumb he was to do it in the manner he did. It’s a bit like how you are highlighting how dumb you are with your comments.
@Ciara Baines: Thanks for your input!
@Nick Allen: And I was merely pointing out how lacking in integrity it would be to suggest that there was a cleverer way to cheat unseen!
@Jarlath Murphy:
You are getting confused. Pointing out what is dumb cheating and what is clever cheating does. It demonstrate a lack of integrity, it just shows an element of critical thinking.
Top tip. I appreciate that you are trying to have a pop at me personally and not my comment, which you are perfectly entitled to do. However, take the hint when other commenters say you have the dumbest comment of the day and time to step away from your keyboard that you may have called this one wrong. Take it in the chin and step away quietly rather than continuing to make a fool of yourself
@Nick Allen: No confusion this end, I don’t value the input of your acolytes so I’ll choose to disregard their guidance but you can thank them from me!
@Jarlath Murphy: well I back her up too. You’re just being stupid now.
@Ardmore02: Goodlad! Nearly a full house Adam/Frank will be along shortly to agree with you!
@Jarlath Murphy:
You write an awful lot of rubbish. Next time you want to accuse me of something trying thinking before writing a comment. It will lessen how stupid you make yourself look.
@Nick Allen: Ahh bless, whats wrong, having a bad day?
@Jarlath Murphy:
What makes you think that? I, and others point out your stupidity and the best you can come up with is that I am having a bad day. Really can’t see how you made that leap but I suppose that when you can’t argue your case and make a stupid statement there is very little left you left to say. As I said, you are probably best just taking it in the chin. Better luck next time, just put a little more thinking into your comments first
@Jarlath Murphy:
will someone take away this mans shovel…
@Jarlath Murphy: We all know what Nick meant. You just took a holier than thou attitude to it for some reason. We all agree that cheating is wrong. We can also all agree that ball-tampering in full view of the cameras is a stupid way of doing it.
https://www.todayfm.com/Gift-Cricket-Yes-We-Can-From-The-Archives
Coming from generations of bushrangers….
F**k cricket.
@Mark Mc Donnell: How?
Muppets. They shud bring back public flogging
Steve Smith is as likeable as a piece of Sandpaper!