‘Sancho signing would help Ole take next step...’
Former United star Sammy McIlroy tells M.E.N. Sport that the Reds need an injection of flair into the squad next season
UNITED must target flair players such as Jadon Sancho to take the next step up under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, according to Sammy McIlroy.
The former Reds midfielder has seen signs of promise from Solskjaer’s side recently but believes there is a duty to entertain as well as win at Old Trafford, and signing players who can fulfil that brief should be the next aim.
McIlroy made than 400 appearances for United after becoming Sir Matt Busby’s last signing, helping the club back to the First Division after relegation in 1974.
That team under Tommy Docherty fulfilled the United brief of playing swashbuckling, attacking football, and McIlroy senses United might be about to return to those days under Solskjaer.
“At Manchester United you always need flair players and I’m sure Ole knows that, he was in the squad under the great Sir Alex Ferguson, scoring goals for fun,” he told M.E.N. Sport.
“Competition for places in squads is a great thing and I think Ole is trying to build that now, United had that under Sir Matt and Sir Alex, you need competition and I think Ole is getting that.”
McIlroy was 15 when Busby signed him and the legendary United boss had already placed a trust in youth that would become a cornerstone of the club for decades to come.
The Busby babes became Fergie’s fledglings and both of those great United sides were built around a cohort of academy graduates. Once again under Solskjaer there is an exciting crop of kids coming through that have thrilled McIlroy this season.
“It’s great when you see this season some of the academy players coming through, there have been times when we’ve had six or seven academy players in the squad,” the 65-year-old said.
“It’s always been the club’s philosophy, we had the Busby babes... to see young players now coming through the ranks and playing for the team is great.”
McIlroy made his debut as a 17-year-old in the Manchester derby, a sign of the faith in youngsters that has always been a part of United’s philosophy. But he admits there is a pressure that comes with representing United as a youngster as well, something the current academy graduates are having to get used to. “It’s a boost to your confidence, there’s a lot of pressure playing for Manchester United due to the expectation, the history and the great footballers who have played for the club and the worldwide support,” he said.
“When you play there is a pressure to win games and entertain, it’s not just about winning games, it’s about winning well – there’s no better feeling than playing well at Old Trafford and winning games, and the crowd make you feel 10ft tall.”
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Competition for places in squads is a great thing and I think Ole is trying to build that now