OLE: ONE STRIKE... AND YOU ARE OUT!
Solskjaer will axe anyone who misbehaves
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has laid down the law to his Manchester United whizzkids – by threatening to boot them out of Old Trafford if they step out of line.
In a blistering broadside aimed at keeping the Class of 2019 grounded, Solskjaer has outlined why he wants his players to become the most boring men in football every time they step off the pitch.
The United boss has staked his future on youngsters like Marcus Rashford, Scott Mctominay, Axel Tuanzebe, Mason Greenwood, James Garner, Brandon Williams, Tahith Chong and Angel Gomes.
And he has established a zerotolerance policy when it comes mes to demanding t he hi ghest hest professional standards as s he strives to bring the glory days ys back to Old Trafford.
Solskjaer said: “My message to all the boys is that if you don’t sacrifice yourself totally for Manchester United then you are just passing through here.
“Maybe you will stay for a couple of years – but that at will be it.
“I’m not just talking about bout what they do on the pitch. It’s about what is expected of them when they are away from the club.
“And when you’re a footballer, you have to lead a boring life. I’m sorry, but you just have to get used to being bored.
“I trust these boys – but they have to know that if they ever break that trust then I won’t be lenient and I won’t be nice.
Career
“The most successful United players have all made sacrifices and have stayed for a long time.
“I was boring as a player – but I made the most of my career.
“I want these boys to get the most out of their career as well – because I can tell them that when you are part of a winning team at Manchester United, it is the best feeling in the world.”
Solskjaer insists he had no one in mind when he decided it was time to crack the whip.
But there have been concerns at Old Trafford that England internationals Rashford and Jesse Lingard have allowed themselves to become distracted by their commercial and social exploits.
Solskjaer accepts his side will struggle for consistency after deciding to put his faith in youth – and just 11 games into the season he accepts that they will have no impact on the title race.
Sir Alex Ferguson used his conta contacts and informers to keep hims himself in the loop about his play players’ activities away from Old Tra Trafford.
And Solskjaer has warned h his players that the power of s social media gives him an insight into their lives, 24 hours a day.
Solskjaer added: “Sir Alex k knew what was going on – a and that was before social me media!
“N “Now it’s impossible for them to d do something without me getting to know because that’s the way of the world now with social media. But I trust the players we have here.
“They know I give them freedom to make their own decisions – however, they must always be the right ones.
“The boys must understand that we’re all role models.
“For youngsters to see them doing stuff out in the pitch is brilliant. But all the other stuff? No.”
United face Brighton at Old Trafford today.
And Solskjaer admitted: “We definitely cannot win the Premier League this season because we are too far behind.
“But we do want to win trophies. That’s the challenge this season because winning that first trophy is so important for young players.
“To do that, the players have to make sure there are no other things on their minds apart from football.
“Like I say, that means being proper boring. You go to bed, you rest, you recover and you get ready for the next game.
“You can do all the other stuff after your career. That’s the culture we need to get to.”
I trust these boys, but they have to know that if they ever break that trust then I won’t be lenient, I won’t be nice