Ole Gunnar Solskjaer got a bit of a grilling from the press ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Tottenham on Sunday.
Unsurprisingly, talk about the lack of transfer activity dominated the press conference on the official United app at 10am on 02/10.
It was put to Solskjaer that he said back during lockdown in April that United could ‘exploit’ the market, but so far only Donny van de Beek has been signed.
He was keen to retract those comments and also issued a response to the raft of ex-United players who have criticised the lack of transfer activity.
“I think my wording in lockdown ‘exploit’ was a bad word by me,” said Solskjaer.
“I didn’t mean in that respect, I meant clubs out there have to move because of the situation and it might be a situation for us. There’s not been those situations.”
On the criticism from United legends, Solskjaer added: “Patrice, Rio, Gary, Fletch have always been welcome here to talk to me instead of…… doing their jobs, they’re allowed to do their jobs.
“We’re all wanting Manchester United as high as possible, it’s my job and that’s what I’m working with.”
Solskjaer was reluctant to be too critical of the structure above him over the lack of transfer business – but that’s where the blame lies.
He was right to say that United could have taken advantage of the market back in April. Look at what Chelsea did.
The lockdown was a time to scout potential targets, make approaches with clubs and lay the groundwork for a productive summer.
United didn’t do any of that, which has forced Solskjaer to backtrack. Elsewhere in the press conference, he also insisted his squad is strong enough, which he wasn’t saying at the end of last season.
It will be interesting to see what Solskjaer has to say once the deadline has passed, and whether United have got anyone over the line by then.
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