Farke’s not the fall guy
Solskjaer in reality check
DANIEL FARKE insists his training methods are not to blame for Norwich’s injury crisis.
The Canaries host fellow strugglers Aston Villa today with new names added to an already lengthy absentee list.
Farke goes into his 100th game as Canaries manager with a host of stars sidelined or patched up to play.
The German said: “No team in the country has fewer muscle injuries during training than we have.
“Players have been injured in their private lives or by nasty tackles. We have had players come back from international duty with injuries. We have to handle it with a smile on our faces.”
Ben Godfrey will play before a hernia op next week while keeper Michael McGovern makes his first league start since April 2017 with Tim Krul and Ralf Fahrmann both crocked.
Jamal Lewis will play with damaged elbow ligaments taped up while Todd Cantwell and Sam Byram will soldier through despite injuries.
However, centre-back Grant Hanley is out with a groin problem.
Farke added: “We can’t allow ourselves to be too downhearted.
“You shouldn’t underestimate the resilience and the spirit of my players.” not many clubs with our stature that play the young players that we do.
“They’ve got a chance to come through and we’re sure some of these will be part of a successful team.
“I don’t know what the opponents think of us. I just know sometimes when you walk off after games, we’re not doing bad here.
“Sometimes there’s a gap. I’ve felt that a couple of times, but not very often. I can’t think about what anyone else is thinking about us.
“We’ll need to improve. That’s what we have to do.”
United have failed to score from a set-piece in 220 days, the longest run in the Premier League and another damning statistic.
“There’s many reasons,” said Solskjaer.
“We haven’t been good enough. We’ve not had the best execution. Of course Scott McTominay should’ve scored against Arsenal with a header. That’s something we’ll work on.
“We’ll get there. I do feel it’s going to come (an away win). There’s no point me talking about it. I’ll get your questions until we do win.
“If we don’t win, we’ll get this on Sunday as well.
“But we’re a team that can be set up well to play away from home. Sometimes you can play on the counter.”
United seem likely to be wihout injured striker Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba.
Asked whether the midfielder will recover from an ankle injury in time, Solskjaer said: “Probably not. There’s an international break as well, so it might be time for us to give him 10 or 14 days extra to be ready for the Liverpool game.”