Sunday Express

OLE: CALLING UP KIDS IS GAMBLE I MUST TAKE

- By Name here By Simon Mullock

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists that putting his faith in kids is a gamble he has to take. Just like Sir Alex Ferguson in 1992, the Norwegian has opted to stake his reputation on a brilliant group of youngsters who have come through the club’s famed Academy.

But while Fergie delivered a Premier League and FA Cup double as the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes took the game by storm, Solskjaer accepts that this will be a season of transition for his new generation.

It means youngsters Mason Greenwood, Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong and James Garner will get their chance to shine.

Solskjaer said: “You can call it a gamble, but I’m staying true to what I believe in.this is not just about me getting results now to help my reputation – it is about the club going forward in the right direction.

“If we don’t make these decisions now they will have to be done in 12 months or 24 months – because at some point these kids will have to be a part of Manchester United.

“It’s fair to say the youngsters will play.they have impressed over the last six weeks and in the months before the summer.that is why they went on

tour and why we

gave them so many minutes. It probably isn’t fair on them to be regulars in the team, but we have also got experience­d players and the youngsters will come in and give us something extra.”

Solskjaer is aware that

United’s fans expected him to break the bank after warning that the squad he inherited from Mourinho required a rebuild.

They have spent £80million making Harry Maguire the world’s most expensive defender, and the 26-yearold is in line to captain the team against Chelsea today.

Another £66m has been invested on 21-year-old pair

Aaron Wan-bissaka and

Daniel James.

United have not won the title since Ferguson retired in 2013, but Solskjaer said: “I feel we’re on the right track because we now have a better squad and a better team and foundation.

“It will take time but hopefully you should see the signs of the team I want us to be in 12 months.

“But it is step by step and for us to give our kids the best chance we decided this is the right way to go forward.”

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