Solskjaer’s fears over sick notes
United’s injury crisis
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is reviewing why struggling Manchester United have suffered so many injuries this season.
Solskjaer has made it a priority to improve fitness levels he felt were lacking under his predecessor Jose Mourinho but an i ncrease in training intensity has coincided with a run of issues that have stretched United’s thin squad.
Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka missed the last Premier League game, Paul Pogba has played just twice since August and Jesse Lingard became the latest victim when he limped off against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday with a muscular problem.
Though Solskjaer won’t go into detail about United’s investigation, he sees it as an important part of his job to increase his players’ physical powers.
United go to Newcastle today without a win in four matches and haven’t beaten any side away from Old Trafford since March.
Celtic physio Tim Williamson has been linked with a move to Old Trafford to improve the crock situation.
‘There’s loads of different reasons players get injuries, it’s something we are looking at,’ said Solskjaer.
‘We are working on improving every department in the club. There will be headlines if I say this, that or the other. If you are going to survive in modern-day football, you have to be fit.
‘You have to be fitter than they were when I came in. We are working on it and they will get there.’
Only Norwich City have had more first-team absentees this season than United and Solskjaer has indicated Pogba won’t be risked at St James’ Park as he battles against a recurring ankle knock.
The number of muscular issues will also trouble the Norwegian.
Martial and Shaw haven’t played since the end of August due to thigh and hamstring injuries respectively, while Lingard is also ruled out today with a thigh strain.
Eric Bailly and Timothy FosuMensah have had significant time off with knee injuries and United have cited injury as the reason Phil Jones didn’t travel to Holland. WanBissaka has missed the last couple of games with tonsillitis.
It’s all added to a worrying start to the season for United who look as far away from challenging the top clubs as at any time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
The current manager insists he is not flinching from the task ahead and seems to have the full backing of United’s board who recognise it is necessary to have a long-term rebuild.
Solskjaer said: ‘Do you know my career? It’s been loads of ups but some downs as well, both as a player and as a coach. In Molde and Cardiff, I’ve had tough times.
‘I do what I believe in and, in the end, it’s turned out to come good. If you get time to do what you are setting out to do, it’ll be fine.
‘This is a period now with some fine lines going against us but we’ll get there.
‘ There’s only once this season where we didn’t deserve to get too much out of the game.’
United would already consider a top- four finish a success with Liverpool and Manchester City at the top, and rivals Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Leicester all ahead of them in the race for the Champions League.
‘There are two teams that look like going away with things,’ added Solskjaer.
‘The rest of us are going to fight for those third and fourth positions. We have two more points than in the same games last season, so it’s not all that bad.
‘It’s going to turn round. You’ve got to be strong when you play for Manchester United.
‘We talk to the players and work on their mentality. You have to trust yourself and what you are doing.’