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Solskjær press conference vs Leicester (A)
- Thread starter Samid
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Team news
Solskjaer gives an update on the fitness of Martial and Pogba.
We’ve not had a proper session since the game so hopefully both of them can get through that I don’t think there’s anything with Paul.
Anthony will do some rehab work I would imagine him to be involved, he seemed happy yesterday.
Solskjaer gives an update on the fitness of Martial and Pogba.
We’ve not had a proper session since the game so hopefully both of them can get through that I don’t think there’s anything with Paul.
Anthony will do some rehab work I would imagine him to be involved, he seemed happy yesterday.
Update on Fellaini
Solskjaer was asked if there was an update on the Belgian’s move:
Nothing’s confirmed there yet so obviously what I talk to players about would have to be between the two of us and we had good discussions, talked about. Obviously he got injured, so we spoke about that but nothing’s confirmed so I can’t say more, really.
Solskjaer was asked if there was an update on the Belgian’s move:
Nothing’s confirmed there yet so obviously what I talk to players about would have to be between the two of us and we had good discussions, talked about. Obviously he got injured, so we spoke about that but nothing’s confirmed so I can’t say more, really.
Martial contract
Martial signed his contract is that a statement of intent from the club?
It’s a confirmation that we are happy, with him, we believe in him. He’s got fantastic potential, he’s had ups and downs, he’s been top scorer, he’s been developing, as a young lad moving abroad it’s not easy but he knows he’s going to stay here for the coming future and I believe in him.
How good do you think he can be?
Very good, he’s a fantastic finisher, great ability, he’s young, he’s intelligent, knows his football, I’d like him to do a couple more runs in behind but I’ve not seen many player with the quick feet and the skills in the last third as he has so we’re gonna build his career and hopefully he’ll grab the chance with both feet.
Martial signed his contract is that a statement of intent from the club?
It’s a confirmation that we are happy, with him, we believe in him. He’s got fantastic potential, he’s had ups and downs, he’s been top scorer, he’s been developing, as a young lad moving abroad it’s not easy but he knows he’s going to stay here for the coming future and I believe in him.
How good do you think he can be?
Very good, he’s a fantastic finisher, great ability, he’s young, he’s intelligent, knows his football, I’d like him to do a couple more runs in behind but I’ve not seen many player with the quick feet and the skills in the last third as he has so we’re gonna build his career and hopefully he’ll grab the chance with both feet.
On Leicester
Leicester beat City in Dec and drew with Liverpool, they’ve had quite a say in the title race...
They beat Chelsea. I watched the game Wednesday night, team full of energy pace, they defend well, drop back and defend so hard to break them down and they’ve got the pace up front so it’s gonna be a tough challenge but we like challenges.
Leicester beat City in Dec and drew with Liverpool, they’ve had quite a say in the title race...
They beat Chelsea. I watched the game Wednesday night, team full of energy pace, they defend well, drop back and defend so hard to break them down and they’ve got the pace up front so it’s gonna be a tough challenge but we like challenges.
Ole is great 
More on Martial
Mentioned Anthony had scored against Arsenal, never got to 20 goals since he got here is he capable of doing that?
Yeah, he has the capability but as I said here I’d like him to make a few more runs in behind because he doesn’t miss chances, he’s a fantastic finisher, he needs to get more chances, you’ve got to read and sniff wherever there’s a chance, maybe some scruffy goals at times, him and Marcus score loads of worldies but those tap ins and making them runs could go a long way to do that.
Mentioned Anthony had scored against Arsenal, never got to 20 goals since he got here is he capable of doing that?
Yeah, he has the capability but as I said here I’d like him to make a few more runs in behind because he doesn’t miss chances, he’s a fantastic finisher, he needs to get more chances, you’ve got to read and sniff wherever there’s a chance, maybe some scruffy goals at times, him and Marcus score loads of worldies but those tap ins and making them runs could go a long way to do that.
More on Martial
Do you think Martial has the potential to become the best in the world like Ronaldo?
Well of course that’s up to any player if you make a decision on how to develop your own career, Cristiano was the best, the way he’s changed to now, that’s part of any player you’ve got to model yourself on someone but you’ve got to have more challenges ahead of you and for Marcus and Anthony is to score more simple tap ins.
Do you think Martial has the potential to become the best in the world like Ronaldo?
Well of course that’s up to any player if you make a decision on how to develop your own career, Cristiano was the best, the way he’s changed to now, that’s part of any player you’ve got to model yourself on someone but you’ve got to have more challenges ahead of you and for Marcus and Anthony is to score more simple tap ins.
Martial and Rashford relationship
Marcus and Anthony similar in age, do you think they can feed off each other and push each other on?
Yeah, healthy competition but they can also create a relationship and get an understanding of each other because both are very good coming in off the left, if one plays central then opposite movements because they go out to in. But when they play central they go in to out so in the coming years we’ll see loads of combinations between those two.
Can you see Anthony playing centrally?
Definitely, because Anthony’s preferred position would probably be a number nine, most of them want to play through the middle, but where you put out from the start it’s more the defensive position, we want them to rotate, interchange, you’ve got to get into the box to score.
Marcus and Anthony similar in age, do you think they can feed off each other and push each other on?
Yeah, healthy competition but they can also create a relationship and get an understanding of each other because both are very good coming in off the left, if one plays central then opposite movements because they go out to in. But when they play central they go in to out so in the coming years we’ll see loads of combinations between those two.
Can you see Anthony playing centrally?
Definitely, because Anthony’s preferred position would probably be a number nine, most of them want to play through the middle, but where you put out from the start it’s more the defensive position, we want them to rotate, interchange, you’ve got to get into the box to score.
Update on contracts
Do you think De Gea will be persuaded to sign a new deal?
The club’s working on a few players, I don’t know how far but it’s a statement from the club we want to keep our best players. I hope so.
Do you think De Gea will be persuaded to sign a new deal?
The club’s working on a few players, I don’t know how far but it’s a statement from the club we want to keep our best players. I hope so.
On the squad
February looks a challenging month for you, how equipped do you think the squad is?
It’s very equipped,we’ve had now six weeks together, found out what strengths weaknesses we’ve got, we’ve risen to most of the challenges, maybe the setback of the Burnley goals we conceded, make us move to the next level because we’ve given ourselves a chance now to get into the top four earlier than we thought but there’s not too many games, tough opposition, we start with this game against Leicester, Fulham away as well and then the three big ones with PSG, Liverpool and Chelsea, Palace away, it’s a tough month but we’re ready, I’ve got a big squad, it’s only Marcos Rojo now who’s out for a period.
February looks a challenging month for you, how equipped do you think the squad is?
It’s very equipped,we’ve had now six weeks together, found out what strengths weaknesses we’ve got, we’ve risen to most of the challenges, maybe the setback of the Burnley goals we conceded, make us move to the next level because we’ve given ourselves a chance now to get into the top four earlier than we thought but there’s not too many games, tough opposition, we start with this game against Leicester, Fulham away as well and then the three big ones with PSG, Liverpool and Chelsea, Palace away, it’s a tough month but we’re ready, I’ve got a big squad, it’s only Marcos Rojo now who’s out for a period.
Midweek results
Relief the midweek results went your way?
It didn’t surprise me, always happens in Premier League, anyone can beat anyone, we went up to Newcastle beat them and they go and beat City so every single game here you’ve got to be spot on, two or three instances cost us against Burnley.
Relief the midweek results went your way?
It didn’t surprise me, always happens in Premier League, anyone can beat anyone, we went up to Newcastle beat them and they go and beat City so every single game here you’ve got to be spot on, two or three instances cost us against Burnley.
Martial again
A while ago it didn’t look likely he was going to say, in his statement he thanked you, how does it work when you’re caretaker? How much impact do you have?
I speak about my experience at this club what he can achieve at this club and as I said many a times, I’m here to guide players until the summer and you talk about Cristiano’s career, what he’s made, how he’s got there and all the fantastic players we’ve got, if Anthony sat down and wants to be a part of this and the club have got a top player there. I’ve been here for 15 years, coach, player, manager and know how much this club can give to your career and I think by being honest with him it’s the best place to be, I made my career it was easy to sell the club to Anthony but he knows what we’re capable of.
A while ago it didn’t look likely he was going to say, in his statement he thanked you, how does it work when you’re caretaker? How much impact do you have?
I speak about my experience at this club what he can achieve at this club and as I said many a times, I’m here to guide players until the summer and you talk about Cristiano’s career, what he’s made, how he’s got there and all the fantastic players we’ve got, if Anthony sat down and wants to be a part of this and the club have got a top player there. I’ve been here for 15 years, coach, player, manager and know how much this club can give to your career and I think by being honest with him it’s the best place to be, I made my career it was easy to sell the club to Anthony but he knows what we’re capable of.
I just never want Ole to leave at this point, he never puts a foot wrong in these pressers, and is always so positive.
I haven't even read what he said but can say he's right on all points.
same.Glad to read he's trying to get Martial to make those runs, if he can actually sort that side of his game he'll become a top player.
Yes. That's exactly how you describe a tough opponent. None of this "We'll try and make it difficult for them", or 'Get me some actual decent players and I might have a go at beating some relegation fodder for you'. He really is a godsend after 5 years of shite.
His ability to always say the right thing is fecking wonderful. Top top guy, Ole is.
This is something that's always said on FM forums, that the shape on the paper is defensive, not attacking shape.
Yeah. Watched all of his goals yesterday, he has a beautiful technique and a nice swerve in a shot when it falls nicely. If he can run behind defences a bit more he'll be a monster.
Great stuff re: Martial (and Rashford).
I agree. Weirdly enough we seem to have signed the reverse Mourinho. It seem to me as if Woodward sat down in his office and thought, who would possibly be the exact opposite of Mourinho only to come up with Ole's name
I saw that too, I don't he has scored any straightforward goals, they are all difficult chances.
This is 1 of the reasons I want Ole to stay. he sees exactly what the fans are saying, and wants to improve that. If Martial made those killer runs in behind more often than coming deep to get the ball, he'd score so many! his movement is his only weakness.
It looks like Ole can really help them become better strikers. So far, his analysis of the players has been on point. Phelan's main role seems to be motivating the players.
Finally, we have a manager with common sense. Him addressing Martial's off-ball movement is so refreshing.
"Please don't take my Solskjær away" 
I can see he's doing it a bit more and the rotation of positions along the front line helps too with Martial, Rashford and Lingard being on the left, middle and right at different points in the game.
You can tell that Ole used to be a forward and his experiences of that and knowing each player's weakness as well as him having used to be an attacking coach at United coaching Ronaldo and Rooney helps hugely.
Much prefer his method of building up players in public and being complimentary about them then dishing out the hairdryer now and again behind the scenes rather than the negativity being both public and private.
Early days but from all of the players Fergie has managed who have then gone into management, I think Ole is the one whose personality and 'philosophy' has come closest to emulating him. Having Phelan back is another big contributing factor.
Them tap ins. He just knows what it takes to get us back on top.
Agreed.
I think, unlike the Hughes and Bruce generation, Ole saw Sir Alex at his absolute, lung-busting peak as well as his transition towards a more hands-off approach.
When he signed, we were very much a 442 side still figuring out Europe. When he left we had probably been through two or three transitions and were a much more tactically savvy outfit.
He didn't stumble into management either. He was always note-taking and jumped straight into coaching.
Sir Alex evolved and changed, but some of the managers who played for him seem like they never graduated from the 90s.
Great words from Ole again. Particularly happy with his assessment of Martial and how he can improve.
A lot of people have been talking about his lack of running in behind, if he can add that to his game and be a bit more ruthless with it he'll bang the goals in.
A lot of people have been talking about his lack of running in behind, if he can add that to his game and be a bit more ruthless with it he'll bang the goals in.
I remember SAF used to go on a about this with Rooney, too
Ole
This bit right here, it's what we've always been about, and I suspect it's been somewhat missing under the last manager...
I would think that both LVg and Mourinho would disagree with that assessment though. i think they had very clear ideas about where certain players should be based. But realistically having 3 fast moving and fast passing strikers, who can score from any position 18 yards out, alternating position is bound to be a better attack than Martial sticking on the left wing and only being allowed to take one touch.
The tap ins part is so correct. City score one every week.
Oh man i'm so excited for the future.
Oh man i'm so excited for the future.
He hasn't put a foot wrong in any interview he's done since he became manager.
He just totally gets how a Utd manager should speak.
He just totally gets how a Utd manager should speak.