Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says any more signings would be a ‘bonus’ for Manchester United as they approach the last three weeks of the transfer window. United completed the £72.9million signing of Jadon Sancho last month and are waiting for Raphael Varane to undergo a medical before his £43m move can be finalised. Sancho is not due to report for training until next week following a holiday in the Turks and Caicos Islands and Varane’s transfer has been delayed as he had to obtain a visa. United are interested in signing a midfielder, are considering a move for Atletico Madrid full-back Kieran Trippier and open to recruiting another centre-back but Solskjaer is pleased with the marquee moves of Varane and Sancho.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Anything from now is a bonus. I have to say that, with the two signings we’ve got, we’ve strengthened where we wanted to strengthen. Let’s see what happens. You never know in football. Anything can happen, ins and outs. Transfer-wise, we’ve done our business early. Raphael hasn’t done his medical yet but that should be okay. I’m very pleased with what we’ve done.”
There is still uncertainty over the futures of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard, who have entered the last year of their contracts, as well as full-back Diogo Dalot. Andreas Pereira and Phil Jones are surplus and could be sold if United receive an acceptable offer. United assembled a squad of 24 players for their second summer training camp in Scotland but Anthony Elanga and Alex Telles are injured, Dean Henderson is still suffering after Covid-19 , Edinson Cavani has not rejoined the group following the Copa America, Eric Bailly and Amad have participated at the Olympics, Marcus Rashford is sidelined until October due to shoulder surgery and new signings Sancho and Varane have not trained with their new teammates. Solskjaer has a bloated 33-man squad to choose from and all bar Telles and Rashford could be available for the opening Premier League fixture against Leeds United next Saturday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “We need a big squad. The start is important, the whole season is important, but you need to arrive in April and May fresh and with enough options. Some might go on loan until Christmas, some might go for a season but I don’t want to be too light in any position.”
