Solskjaer ‘has no say on contracts’
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer says he has no control over United’s negotiations with players over contracts.
M.E.N. Sport revealed in November the Reds have opened talks with Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Ashley Young, who all have less than six months remaining on their existing deals.
The trio are free to negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs with a view to joining on a free transfer at the end of their contracts.
Young, 33, is believed to have no intention of moving abroad but Athletic Bilbao have shown interest in Herrera and Juan Mata is regularly linked with a return to Spain.
Solskjaer admitted last week he did not expect United to make any additions in the January transfer window and laughed off some of the recent speculation.
“I read the news sometimes speculations around this club is incredible,” Solskjaer said. “Some players I have not even heard of, all this speculation about transfers coming in or out. I can’t comment apart from we have [current] players that we are in discussions with but that is not down to me either.”
Sunday’s Premier League fixture at Tottenham marks Solskjaer’s toughest encounter as United caretaker manager but the Norwegian stressed his previous five matches offered different tests of United’s mettle.
“We have had tests,” Solskjaer stressed. “Newcastle away is a test, and first game how everyone reacted is a test, first home game with the crowd is a test, every single game you get tested.
“But this is against a top, top side. If we want to go closer and get past them we need a good performance and a good result.
“You always adapt to any opponent, they are one of best in the league, so we have to be aware of strengths but we need to attack teams – that is our strength going forward, attacking.
“We are not going to get as many chances to attack against these as we had before, so when we have the ball we have to be ready to play well with it and we have to use the whole pitch because Wembley is a decent size pitch as well.”