OLE’S KID GLOVES Solskjaer: It’s not reckless playing my young guns.. gambling is the United way. They are our future
Steve Bates OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER denies he’s gambling with Manchester United’s fortunes by giving youngsters a chance.
The Old Trafford boss is determined to hand United’s stars of the future plenty of game time this season.
But far from viewing that as a risky spin of the wheel, Solskjaer believes it’s not reckless – and says he’s only staying true to his and United’s principles.
Highly-rated attacking starlets Mason Greenwood, 17, Angel Gomes, 18, and Tahith Chong, 19, were all given their chance to shine on United’s pre-season tour of Australia and Asia.
United have also signed £ 15million Swansea winger Daniel James as well as sealing a £50m deal with Crystal Palace for Aaron Wan-bissaka – both 21.
Experience
Chuck in Marcus Rashford, 21, Scott Mctominay, 22, and 23-year-old Anthony Martial and it’s clear United’s age profile is way younger than the established stars at Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham, who all finished in Champions League places last season.
Rival bosses Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp opted for tried-andtrusted experience in their pursuit of trophies last season.
But as Solskjaer ( right) prepares to kick off the new season against Chelsea at Old Trafford today, he admits he’s comfortable giving United’s young stars a platform. “You can call it a gamble. I am just staying true to what I believe in,” the Norwegian said.
“I believe in this way of managing. I am paid to manage by the club and it is not just about me getting results now to get my reputation or whatever.
“It is about the club going forward i n the right direction. If we don’t make these decisions now, they will have to be done in 12,
18, 24 months’ time.
“Because at some point these kids will have to be a part of
Manchester
United.
“For us, to give our kids the best chance, we decided this is the right way.”
Solskjaer, though, i nsists he will handle their development responsibly and won’t over-expose them.
But he’s convinced they’ve already shown on tour this summer they have the quality to be United players i n the making.
“They’ll get games at times this season,” Solskjaer said. “They have impressed over the last six weeks and in the months before the summer, that’s why they went on tour and why we have given them so many minutes.
“It is not fair on them to be regulars in this team yet. We have experienced players, but the young lads will come in and give us something extra.”
Despite t he criticism of their t r ansfer window business, United are comfortable c with their strategy strateg gy of building for the future with exciting young stars hungry to make their mark.
And they insist it will take several windows to build a squad capable of long-term success.
Heritage
But Solskjaer believes the green shoots are already visible as he continues to forge a style of play closer to United’s heritage than in recent times.
“We haven’t won the league or challenged properly these six years so of course it’s not where we want to be,” he said.
“But I feel we are on the right track. We have a better squad, team and foundation this season to improve and take that first step because it will take time.
“I’d like to think you will see what kind of team we want to be, the intensity we want. But it’s not going to be functioning perfectly straight away. Pre- season was really good and the performances promising – and we have added Harry Maguire so h o p e f u l l y you should see the signs of the team I would want to be in, say, 12 months.
“It’s always been normal for me at this club to be mentioning a team that should win or challenge for the title.
“Let’s make sure that we are part of a United that can surprise a few people.”