Tag: Manchester United

  • Solskjaer backs himself to be Manchester United success

    Solskjaer backs himself to be Manchester United success

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still determined that he is the right person to lead Manchester United back to the top and says he retains the backing of the board, despite recent results.

    His long-term future has been brought into question in recent days following back to back defeats against Arsenal and Istanbul Basaksehir.

    United travel to Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime sitting 15th in the Premier League table having won just two of their opening six games, and while pressure is mounting on the United boss he is still backing himself to get the club out of their current slump.

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    “If I don’t trust my belief and values, and my staff’s quality and players’ quality, who else should? I don’t look at one or two results and fall like a house of cards,” Solskjaer said in his pre-match press conference.

    “It’s a setback, definitely, but there’s been too much made of not scoring against Arsenal and Chelsea, there have been nothing in those games and it’s not long ago we were the best thing since sliced bread against Leipzig and PSG.

    “You have to have that belief, club have been very positive and shown me their character and strong leadership, I’m looking to Saturday morning, that’s another matter we can talk about.”

    It is understood Solskjaer’s job is not under immediate threat, despite poor start to the season with just two wins from the opening six games, and the Norwegian says he continues to have the backing of the board.

    “I’ve always had a very good, open and honest and positive dialogue with the club. They’ve shown strong leadership since I come in and with me,” he explained. “Today it’s sunny in Manchester, I don’t expect the wind to turn, always pressure and expectations on us.

    “I became a man at Manchester United and have learnt how to deal with good and bad times. You’re a top coach or manager when you win and bad when you lose because that’s the last game you played. Every game of football becomes history quickly and we need to go into Goodison Park in a positive frame of mind.”

    Nevertheless, the former striker is under no illusion as to the mounting pressure and knows it is something he has to accept as manager of United.

    “You have to be mentally strong,” Solskjaer said. “There are demands on Manchester United players, coach and manager and also an expectation, we are at the best and biggest club in the world and you don’t expect anything but criticism then, it is how you deal with that setback and from what I’ve seen from the boys they’ve been very focused.”

  • Manchester United continue to back manager

    Manchester United continue to back manager

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer retains the support of Manchester United and is still seen as a long-term appointment.

    Solskjaer has come under fresh scrutiny in the wake of Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat at Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League – their first in the competition this season.

    United are currently 15th in the Premier League after losing 1-0 against Arsenal on Sunday, but the club has no plans to replace Solskjaer – despite reports linking former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino with the role at Old Trafford.

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    Solskjaer laughed off suggestions his job is under threat after the defeat in Turkey.

    “I decline to comment on such a thing,” he said in his post-match press conference. “Of course, it’s early on and opinions are out there all the time.

    “You’ve got to stay strong. I’m employed by the club to do a job and I do that to the best of my ability with my staff.”

    United return to Premier League action on Saturday away at Everton, who have also lost their last two matches against Southampton and Newcastle.

  • ‘Pogba has been nothing but problems’ – Ince

    ‘Pogba has been nothing but problems’ – Ince

    Paul Pogba has been “nothing but problems” for Manchester United since returning to the club in 2016, says Paul Ince, will all concerned at Old Trafford now asking questions of where they go from this point.

    The Red Devils invested £89 million ($116m) in bringing a France international back onto their books, with their transfer record smashed when doing business with Juventus.

    Pogba’s capture was considered to be a quite a coup, with there plenty of potential in his game still to be unlocked.

    United have, however, been unable to bring the best out of an enigmatic 27-year-old, with regular questions being asked of his form and future.

    Pogba has become a World Cup winner during his second spell in England, but domestic struggles have contributed to the Red Devils being unable to kick on as a collective.

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    There is now no obvious role for an expensive asset within Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, with a place on the bench taken up in a 2-1 Champions League defeat at Istanbul Basaksehir, and Ince admits those on and off the field need to be mulling over their options.

    The former United midfielder told Ladbrokes: “I love Pogba. I think he’s a world-class player on his day. We saw that at Juventus. But since he’s come to Manchester United it’s been nothing but problems.

    “Under Jose Mourinho and things with his agent, there’s always something. His performances haven’t been up to scratch, the fans have almost gone against him.

    “If I was playing with him, I’d be saying ‘listen, you just go out there and play. Go out there and start performing. Once you start performing like you should be performing, then you can talk about wanting to sign for Real Madrid, because at the moment you can’t even get into the Man United side.”

    “If I’m Paul Pogba, I’m sitting on the bench thinking ‘hang on, I’ve got Fred, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes all playing in midfield and I’m sat on the bench? There’s got to be something wrong with me.’

    “Man United is not about Paul Pogba.”

    Pogba has aired a desire to represent Real Madrid at some stage in his career, but United have taken up an extension option in his contract that is due to keep him in his current surroundings through to the summer of 2022.

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  • Ighalo Benched In Man United’s Away Defeat To Istanbul Basaksehir

    Ighalo Benched In Man United’s Away Defeat To Istanbul Basaksehir

    Odion Ighalo was benched as Manchester United fell to a 2-1 defeat against Istanbul Basaksehir in their UEFA Champions League clash on Wednesday night.

    Ighalo is yet to make an appearance for the Red Devils in the competition this season.

    United found themselves two down inside 40 minutes as strikes from Demba Ba and Edin Visca capitalised on a defensive horror show from the visitors.

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    Anthony Martial’s instinctive header pulled one back before the break but it failed to inspire a second-half comeback, with a stunning stoppage-time goal-line clearance from Alexandru Epureanu denying United a point at the death.

    Basaksehir didn’t have a point or a goal to their name in this season’s competition but a resilient performance earned a famous and deserved first Champions League victory for the Turkish champions, as United succumbed to their first defeat in the competition on the banks of the Bosporus.

  • ‘It won’t be long before Cavani makes a big impact’ -Solskjaer

    ‘It won’t be long before Cavani makes a big impact’ -Solskjaer

    Edinson Cavani is getting sharper and sharper and it will not be long before the Manchester United striker makes a big impact at Old Trafford, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

    Cavani embarked on a new challenge in the Premier League by signing a one-season contract at Old Trafford in October, which includes the option of an extra year.

    The 33-year-old had been without a club since leaving Paris Saint-Germain in June, and has been granted extra time to build up his fitness since his arrival at United.

    He has had to be content with three substitute appearances for Solskjaer’s side so far, with his latest cameo coming during a 1-0 defeat against Arsenal on Sunday.

    The Uruguayan has only shown glimpses of his predatory instincts amid a lack of playing time, but his manager is confident he will soon be ready to prove his worth as a regular starter after seeing him make gradual progress on the training pitch.

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    “He’s generally a fit man anyway and he’s getting his sharpness in training and he’s got some substitute appearances now,” Solskjaer told a press conference ahead of the Red Devils’ trip to Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday night.

    “We haven’t managed to get him long enough yet to make a big impact but he’s looking sharper and sharper in training so it won’t be long.”

    One man who could slot straight into Solskjaer’s line-up in Turkey is Anthony Martial, who has just finished serving a three-game Premier League suspension after being sent off in a heavy loss to Spurs before the last international break.

    The Frenchman scored a penalty as United thrashed RB Leipzig 5-0 in their last Champions League outing at Old Trafford, and the Norwegian head coach is hopeful he will kick on to rediscover his best form in the coming weeks.

    “Anthony has been important for us last season and in the time I’ve been here. So, of course, to have him back is a boost,” said Solskjaer. “It gives us more options for up front and on either side, and we’ll look forward to seeing the best of Anthony.

    “I thought towards the end of the Leipzig game you could see his sharpness getting there and he was really positive and bright which is good.”

    Pressed on the need for his side to react strongly after suffering their third top-flight reversal of the season with a crucial clash against Everton looming large on the horizon, Solskjaer added: “Definitely. It’s always important to bounce back and respond after a disappointing day.

    “We’ve had some time to reflect over this [the Arsenal defeat] now and it’s gone, and we’ve got to get a performance in Istanbul and hopefully we’ll get three points and then we go to Everton.

    “Of course we’ve not been helped by the schedule but it’s another challenge.”

  • Legendary Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs Arrested

    Legendary Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs Arrested

    Legendary Manchester United winger and current Wales manager Ryan Giggs has been arrested on ­suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend Kate Greville.

    Cops were called to Giggs’ £1.7million home in Worsley just after 10pm on Sunday amid reports of “a disturbance”.

    The 46-year-old was questioned on suspicion of actual bodily harm and assault.

    A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “Police were called at 10.05pm on Sunday to reports of a disturbance. A woman in her 30s sustained minor injuries but did not require any treatment.

    “A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of section 47 assault and section 39 common assault.”

    Police said the arrested man was released on bail pending enquiries.

    Giggs emerged from Pendleton police station on Monday afternoon after hours of questioning, and was whisked away in a black Mercedes.

    READ ALSO: Maguire’s Man Utd captain credentials questioned by former skipper Ferdinand

    Sources said he had been living in the house which he bought for his mum Lynne on the same street as his £3.5million pad, which is up for sale.
    Giggs had been at Hotel Football, in Manchester, which he co-owns, earlier in the day to watch Man United’s 1-0 defeat against Arsenal.

    He is then believed to have gone to the Stock Exchange Hotel, which he also co-owns with former teammate Gary Neville, in the city centre.

    He has been dating Kate on and off since 2017.

    They met when she started doing the PR for Hotel Football in 2013 after moving from Dubai.

    Giggs went public with the relationship when he was pictured with her holidaying in Italy in August 2018.

    It was eight months after his divorce from wife ­Stacey, whom he had been cheating on for eight years with brother Rhodri’s wife Natasha.

    A representative for Ryan Giggs said he denies the allegations and is assisting the police with their ongoing investigation.

    The statement said: “Mr Giggs denies all allegations of assault made against him. He is cooperating with the police and will continue to assist them with their ongoing investigations.”

  • Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal: Aubameyang heaps misery on Solskjaer, secures win

    Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal: Aubameyang heaps misery on Solskjaer, secures win

    Arsenal beat Manchester United in the league at Old Trafford for the first time since 2006 thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s penalty.

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 100th match in charge of Manchester United ended in a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored from the penalty spot.

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    The Gunners were much the better side in the clash at Old Trafford on Sunday and Aubameyang’s 69th-minute spot-kick secured their first victory at Old Trafford in the Premier League since September 2006.

    United created few opportunities in front of goal and the contest was settled after Paul Pogba was deemed to have fouled Hector Bellerin inside the area.

    The result helped Arsenal move up to eighth place in the table on 12 points, ahead of United in 15th, with the Red Devils winless at home in the Premier League this season.

  • Manchester United Legend Diagnosed With Dementia

    Manchester United Legend Diagnosed With Dementia

    Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton has been diagnosed with dementia.

    The news follows the death of his older brother Jack in July and fellow England 1966 World Cup winner Nobby Stiles on Saturday, both of whom had been diagnosed with dementia in later life.

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    Another two of the Three Lions’ 1966 heroes, Ray Wilson and Martin Peters, died in 2018 and 2019 respectively after living with dementia.

    Widely regarded as one of England’s greatest-ever players, Charlton played every minute of the World Cup triumph on home soil in 1966.

    He would go on to win the Ballon d’Or later that year before inspiring Manchester United to the European Cup in 1968 with two goals in the final against Benfica.

    In all, Charlton scored 249 goals in 758 games for United, a club record until it was surpassed by Wayne Rooney.

    Charlton’s 49 strikes for England were also a record until Rooney beat that total.

    His goal-scoring exploits were all the more impressive given he rarely played as an out-and-out forward, usually playing in an advanced midfield role.

  • Manchester United confirm signing of Alex Telles from Porto

    Manchester United confirm signing of Alex Telles from Porto

    Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Porto left-back Alex Telles after weeks of negotiating, with the defender joining for a fee of around £13.5million.

    The Red Devils have endured a frustrating transfer window in which they failed to prise Jadon Sancho away from Borussia Dortmund and made just one new signing prior to deadline day: Donny van de Beek from Ajax.

    However, after their chastening defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, United have wrapped up a deal with Porto for Telles as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to strengthen a defence that conceded six times yesterday.

    Telles – who takes penalties and set-pieces for Porto – already has two goals and two assists in three league outings this season, while he netted 11 times and laid on eight assists in 31 appearances in the 2019/20 season.

    United had been locked in talks with the Portuguese club for some time, with Telles’ contract expiring next summer and the Red Devils’ hierarchy refusing to overpay.

    ” Signed.Sealed.Delivered.Welcome to #MUFC, Alex Telles! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/AJl7xsSDSq— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 5, 2020”

    Although Porto initially wanted around £22.5m for the defender, United have committed to pay an initial £13.5m – just over half the original valuation. The deal could rise by a further £1.8m, however, due to a number of potential add-ons relating to the success of both the player and the club.

    Telles was due to fly to Manchester on Sunday but technical problems meant he had to delay the journey until Monday, undergoing a medical and signing his contract on deadline day.

    The Brazil international is expected to earn around £70,000-a-week at Old Trafford and brings United real depth at left-back, while he can also play further forward.

  • Manchester United humiliated as Mourinho lead Spurs to massive win at Old Trafford

    Manchester United humiliated as Mourinho lead Spurs to massive win at Old Trafford

    A shambolic Manchester United suffered a club record-equalling defeat in the English Premier League (EPL) era as they crashed to a 6-1 loss at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

    Son Heung-min and Harry Kane each scored twice for Spurs while Manchester United’s Anthony Martial was sent off in the 28th minute.

    It was a big occasion for Jose Mourinho who celebrated a stunning victory on his return to the ground where he once was in charge.

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side had taken a second minute lead through a Bruno Fernandes penalty kick.

    But Spurs responded quickly, taking advantage of some awful defending as Tanguy Ndombele and Son put them 2-1 ahead.

    Manchester United went down to 10 men after Martial was sent off following a clash with Erik Lamela at a corner kick and then Harry Kane made it 3-1.

    Read more: Liverpool, Chelsea transfers have ‘psychologically damaged’ Manchester United’s players — Gary Neville

    Son added his second shortly before the break as Manchester United conceded four goals in the first half of a league game for the first time since 1957 —– also to Spurs.

    Serge Aurier made it 5-1 in the 51st minute before Kane completed the rout from the penalty kick spot.

    Manchester United also lost 6-1 to Manchester City in October 2011.