PEP WOULD PREFER TO FACE RASHFORD
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER believes Bruno Fernandes can help turn Scott Mctominay into a top star at Manchester United. Midfield playmaker Fernandes has earned rave reviews since joining the club in January.
United boss Solskjaer has seen the behind-the-scenes impact the Portuguese has had on Old Trafford’s youngsters and is convinced Mctominay will be the big winner.
United face derby rivals Manchester City today and Solskjaer said: “Bruno can help Scott impove, definitely. Bruno is going to give us loads and is going to help the young kids.
“I wouldn’t call Scotty a kid – he is 23 but he is still learning the game. Bruno knows it inside out. He has been around, he’s travelled, he’s had his ups and downs. “He has learned to deal with setbacks, so he will help them all, including Scotty.”
Mctominay’s (right) drive, tenacious commitment and ambition won him an instant recall from Solskjaer on recovering from the knee injury that had kept him out for two months.
And the boss can’t wait for his Scotland international midfielder to be fully fit and firing. “Scott has been important for us but he needs games to get back to the level he was at before he got injured,” Solskjaer said. “It takes time when you’ve been out for two months and he’s getting there.
“He has done remarkably well to be back so quickly and we’re delighted.”
PEP GUARDIOLA has claimed he’d rather face a Manchester United side which includes Marcus Rashford.
United and England striker Rashford (right) will miss today’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford with a back injury, having scored a penalty and terrorised City with his pace in the 2-1 win at the Etihad in December.
But Guardiola said: “I like to play against a full squad from my opponents. I would have preferred if he had played for them.”