I’M SCOURING THE PLANET FOR PLAYERS
Ole vows to replace slackers and return United to Europe’s elite
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has decided to get tough with his Manchester United slackers in the wake of their Champions League exit.
United were humbled 3-0 by Barcelona at the Nou Camp, going out of the quarter-finals 4-0 on aggregate, showing just how far they have fallen behind Europe’s elite.
The early euphoria of boss Solskjaer’s reign, winning 10 of his first 11 games, has given way to mediocre displays, characterised by key players under-performing and lacking intensity.
The Reds have lost five of their last seven games and are in serious danger of missing out on the top four, with Solskjaer warning his players they need to raise their game for the remaining five matches.
Anthony Martial, who signed a lucrative new five-year deal worth £200,000 a week in January, has scored just once in his last eight games, while Jesse Lingard has a solitary strike in 16 appearances.
United’s club-record signing Paul Pogba scored eight goals and provided six assists in his first 10 games under Solskjaer, but has just three goals – two from the penalty spot – and one assist in his subsequent 12.
Other players have also been way below their best, including David De Dea, Nemanja Matic, Alexis Sanchez and Ashley Young, with Solskjaer warning he is ready to shake things up this summer with new arrivals.
“We know that we have to be realistic and there’s a job to be done, but there’s no quick fix,” said the Norwegian.
“It’s not like buy seven players and we’re in the right shape, we have to take it step by step. There will be signings made, but there has to be thoughts about existing players, to sit down with them, and then have a pre-season.
“There’ll be some additions, but the players already here have got to come back and know what’s expected of them.
“We’ve got scouts scouring the planet for good footballers. We’ll sign players we think are the right fit, personality-wise, price-wise, quality-wise and those who can have longevity at this club. I’m confident we’ll get the players.”
Solskjaer denied his permanent appointment has contributed to United’s slump, which has seen them exit the FA Cup,
Champions
League and lose ground on the top four.
United have lost three of their five games since Solskjaer was given the job full-time and were unconvincing in wins over Watford and West Ham. But he does not think it has had an adverse effect on his players.
“I don’t think so, no,” Solskjaer added. “That’s football, it’s about margins. We’ve lost two league games, Wolves and Arsenal.
“But the players know what’s going to happen, they know what I expect, what we as a club expect and what we want to do.
“When we came in on December 19 and where we’re at now, I think anyone would have taken that. Now we’ve got five games to see if we can finish it off.”
United visit Everton tomorrow for the first of three games in seven days that will go a long way to deciding their top-four fate.
The Reds host local rivals Manchester City on Wednesday, before another home game with Chelsea the following Sunday.