Aniket Rai
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gives his verdict on promoting Manchester United U-23 stars this season
Speaking before the Premier League game against Arsenal (h/t Manchester Evening News), manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer called on Manchester United U-23 players to be ready to support the squad if needed.
United have seen a few players depart the club this month. Odion Ighalo re-joined Shanghai Shenhua after his loan spell ended and Jesse Lingard’s loan move to West Ham United was sealed just this week.
Defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah also departed the club on a permanent basis. The club could still see a few players depart before deadline day. (h/t Manchester Evening News)
Marcos Rojo looks set to move to Boca Juniors, while the situation with Sergio Romero remains unclear. Amidst this, Solskjaer stated that U-23 players can step up if needed later in the season.
“Of course, with the youngsters, we do have some kids there that are looking like they can take the next step very soon.”
Short-term solutions?
However, he stated that it wasn’t that easy. Solskjaer highlighted the fact that United would have to promote a youngster with the long-term picture in the mind.
This is because juggling players between the U-23 and senior squad bubble could be risky during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nevertheless, he states that the club has a few youngsters in mind.
“It takes planning but there are a couple that if we get injuries and issues we can look at promoting.”
More Manchester United News:
- Manchester United offered the chance to sign Edin Dzeko
- Crystal Palace eye Manchester United outcast Sergio Romero
- Manchester United target Eduardo Camavinga keen to stay put at Rennes
The U-23 side boasts of some impressive players such as Teden Mengi, who has been training with the first-team recently. United have a great injury record, however, with Phil Jones being the only senior member sidelined.
