Solskjaer insists squad are united

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists his side do not lack togetherness as they battle to avoid their lowest ever Premier League points total.

Brazil midfielder Fred claimed the club has “lots of problems” and the squad lacks “the sticking together mentality” in an interview on YouTube channel De Sola last week.

Following a drab 0-0 draw with Wolves at Old Trafford before the winter break United sit eighth in the table on 35 points, 38 behind runaway leaders Liverpool and on course to gather fewer points than their previous lowest tally of 64 in 2013-2014.

Responding to Fred’s claims ahead of Monday’s trip to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Solskjaer said: “This group sticks together, don’t worry about that.

“I haven’t seen the interview or I don’t understand what he’s saying anyway. Fred knows this is a group that wants to give everything for each other.

“I don’t know how to interpret what he said but I’ve got no issues with Fred at all and I’ve got no issues with the group not giving everything for each other.”

Deadline-day signing Odion Ighalo will be part of the squad at Stamford Bridge and Solskjaer has backed the former Watford striker to make an impact, despite an unorthodox start to his loan spell at the club.

Ighalo has not been working at United’s training base since his surprise switch from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua due to concerns over the coronavirus.

The 30-year-old did not join up with the squad at a training camp in Spain as United were concerned he might not have been allowed back into the UK due to a tightening of regulations regarding people who had been in China within the previous 14 days.

“I never said he was going to be ready to play on Monday, he’ll be involved with us and travel down with us,” Solskjaer said.

“He’s out of that two-week period of precaution we made and let’s see if he’s involved or not.

“We’ve kept in touch. He needs to get used to the players, the team, and get up to speed as quick as he can.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Hit back at Fred’s claims of disharmony.