Solskjær press conference vs Brom (A)
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
Pogba out, Bailly back in training
“We’ve had a rare opportunity to do a little bit of training and some recovery, because you’ve got Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and not a game until Sunday, so that’s been a rarity for us really.
Paul [Pogba] is still out. Eric [Bailly] has been training so that’s a boost for us.”
“We’ve had a rare opportunity to do a little bit of training and some recovery, because you’ve got Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and not a game until Sunday, so that’s been a rarity for us really.
Paul [Pogba] is still out. Eric [Bailly] has been training so that’s a boost for us.”
Solskjaer praises youngsters
“We’ve moved Shola [Shoretire] up with us. Hannibal [Mejbri] will join us and we will keep them with us for a while.
I think it’s the next step of their development and we’ve just got to take the hit on them when they play for the reserves. They have to travel by themselves, so they move into our bubble. I think that’s a nice step for them and well deserved because they’ve done really well.”
“We’ve moved Shola [Shoretire] up with us. Hannibal [Mejbri] will join us and we will keep them with us for a while.
I think it’s the next step of their development and we’ve just got to take the hit on them when they play for the reserves. They have to travel by themselves, so they move into our bubble. I think that’s a nice step for them and well deserved because they’ve done really well.”
Solskjaer on Sociedad game being moved to Turin
Solskjaer talks about the situation around United’s Europa League game against Real Sociedad on Thursday being moved from Spain to Turin in Italy due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
“Of course, that’s what we hope - that it will be sustainable.
Different governments… the travel in Europe is difficult at the moment as we all know and it’s not the decision that we’ve made, but when one game is at a neutral venue, it’s a disadvantage for the team that doesn’t have the home game.
But that’s out of our hands. We can say ‘OK, we’ll just meet in Turin for one game’. I wouldn’t mind that at all. It would be one game less.”
Solskjaer talks about the situation around United’s Europa League game against Real Sociedad on Thursday being moved from Spain to Turin in Italy due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
“Of course, that’s what we hope - that it will be sustainable.
Different governments… the travel in Europe is difficult at the moment as we all know and it’s not the decision that we’ve made, but when one game is at a neutral venue, it’s a disadvantage for the team that doesn’t have the home game.
But that’s out of our hands. We can say ‘OK, we’ll just meet in Turin for one game’. I wouldn’t mind that at all. It would be one game less.”
'Sunday is a big one for us'
“Of course it’s an important game for us this weekend. And it’s an important spell. Every game you tick one off and it’s less and less possibility to catch up points on the teams in front of you.
That’s what we want to do and that’s what we’re here to do. Sunday is a big one for us in that respect, to get back to winning ways. The two points dropped against Everton was disappointing when it’s the last kick of the ball, but we bounced back really well in the cup against West Ham - we’re through, we’re in the quarters - and that was a step in the right direction. Another clean sheet.”
“Of course it’s an important game for us this weekend. And it’s an important spell. Every game you tick one off and it’s less and less possibility to catch up points on the teams in front of you.
That’s what we want to do and that’s what we’re here to do. Sunday is a big one for us in that respect, to get back to winning ways. The two points dropped against Everton was disappointing when it’s the last kick of the ball, but we bounced back really well in the cup against West Ham - we’re through, we’re in the quarters - and that was a step in the right direction. Another clean sheet.”
Brom?
Solskjaer speaks out against online racist abuse
“Today with all the abuse and discrimination on social media - for me, it’s simple.
If you don’t have proof of your identity, you cannot open an account. That’s just as simple as. And it would be so much easier to punish the numpties that have nothing better to do.”
“Today with all the abuse and discrimination on social media - for me, it’s simple.
If you don’t have proof of your identity, you cannot open an account. That’s just as simple as. And it would be so much easier to punish the numpties that have nothing better to do.”
Should Europa League ties be reduced to one leg?
“Well, that’s what we did last season. We met somewhere neutral and we made it a tournament. So, of course, home and away - if we’re going to keep that going… We do have a little advantage and it’s a disadvantage for Sociedad of course, to have their home game in Turin. So for me, I wouldn’t stand in the way of that.”
“Well, that’s what we did last season. We met somewhere neutral and we made it a tournament. So, of course, home and away - if we’re going to keep that going… We do have a little advantage and it’s a disadvantage for Sociedad of course, to have their home game in Turin. So for me, I wouldn’t stand in the way of that.”
On Scott McTominay's goalscoring form
“Of course, to add goals from midfield is vital. Last season our three forwards were brilliant and really efficient and scored goals - 60 odd - and Bruno came in and scored goals. We need more goals from midfield and Scott does have that ability to go box to box. He’s a threat inside the box and he used to be a striker.
I think for us to move up the league and be successful in the cups, we need our forwards to keep on firing - getting more goals - and I wouldn’t mind some midfielders adding a few.
If Scott can get into double figures then that would be a very good season for a so-called defensive midfielder.”
“Of course, to add goals from midfield is vital. Last season our three forwards were brilliant and really efficient and scored goals - 60 odd - and Bruno came in and scored goals. We need more goals from midfield and Scott does have that ability to go box to box. He’s a threat inside the box and he used to be a striker.
I think for us to move up the league and be successful in the cups, we need our forwards to keep on firing - getting more goals - and I wouldn’t mind some midfielders adding a few.
If Scott can get into double figures then that would be a very good season for a so-called defensive midfielder.”
Westbrom
What would constitute a successful season?
“You go into every season trying to improve and if you improve that’s a step forward. Is it a big enough step forward? We’ll have to see at the end, if we end up with trophies.
We’re still in competitions. Yes, we lost in the semis in the Carabao Cup. We’re in the quarters of the FA Cup, we’re still in Europe and we’re second in the league. So at the moment it looks like we’ve improved, but we’re going into the deciding period of the season so it’s now that we’ve got to kick on and keep our consistency and get the quality higher, eradicate some of the mistakes we’re making and be more clinical in front of goal.
I don’t want to say what a successful season is at the moment, but we have the chance to end this season with the feeling that it’s been successful, if we improve, because I think we’ve shown qualities that can win us trophies.”
“You go into every season trying to improve and if you improve that’s a step forward. Is it a big enough step forward? We’ll have to see at the end, if we end up with trophies.
We’re still in competitions. Yes, we lost in the semis in the Carabao Cup. We’re in the quarters of the FA Cup, we’re still in Europe and we’re second in the league. So at the moment it looks like we’ve improved, but we’re going into the deciding period of the season so it’s now that we’ve got to kick on and keep our consistency and get the quality higher, eradicate some of the mistakes we’re making and be more clinical in front of goal.
I don’t want to say what a successful season is at the moment, but we have the chance to end this season with the feeling that it’s been successful, if we improve, because I think we’ve shown qualities that can win us trophies.”
On Fred ahead of his 100th game for United
“He’s really done well. I’ve enjoyed working with him these past couple of seasons.
When I came he was a boy who was struggling a little bit. I got numerous questions about Fred in press conferences early on. As I said then, players coming into a new country, it takes time to settle - and it took some time for Fred to settle.
When he has now, he’s grown in confidence. There’s less time in the Premier League than what he was used to. He’s quickened up his game, he’s not getting caught on the ball. I’m not going to take any credit for that of course. It’s the coaches - I think Michael Carrick and Kieran [McKenna], they’ve been brilliant with him, but it’s Fred himself who has had the hunger and humility to learn and want to improve, stick at it and keep working. There are not a lot of people who can say they’ve played 100 games for Manchester United. Hopefully there will be many more to come - and hopefully he will score from outside the box soon but I’m not sure it’s going to be with his right [foot]. I’ve tried to tell him.”
“He’s really done well. I’ve enjoyed working with him these past couple of seasons.
When I came he was a boy who was struggling a little bit. I got numerous questions about Fred in press conferences early on. As I said then, players coming into a new country, it takes time to settle - and it took some time for Fred to settle.
When he has now, he’s grown in confidence. There’s less time in the Premier League than what he was used to. He’s quickened up his game, he’s not getting caught on the ball. I’m not going to take any credit for that of course. It’s the coaches - I think Michael Carrick and Kieran [McKenna], they’ve been brilliant with him, but it’s Fred himself who has had the hunger and humility to learn and want to improve, stick at it and keep working. There are not a lot of people who can say they’ve played 100 games for Manchester United. Hopefully there will be many more to come - and hopefully he will score from outside the box soon but I’m not sure it’s going to be with his right [foot]. I’ve tried to tell him.”
On abuse affecting players' performances
"We’ve gone too far with this concept. The abuse has gone overboard. It’s unacceptable. I would hope we’ve educated our players enough for them to stay away from the criticism.
For me it would be so easy to stop this - people should have to verify who they are to open an account. Not all this bogey, fake names and stuff. That’s my wish.”
"We’ve gone too far with this concept. The abuse has gone overboard. It’s unacceptable. I would hope we’ve educated our players enough for them to stay away from the criticism.
For me it would be so easy to stop this - people should have to verify who they are to open an account. Not all this bogey, fake names and stuff. That’s my wish.”
Really, though?
No one thought he was a defensive midfielder. Not in the fan base. People have always said that he's a box-to-box midfielder being made to play defensively in a double-pivot. If he's got the reputation from within the hierarchy that he's a so-called defensive midfielder then it's surely derived from Ole persisting him in that role.
You can't shove a square into a circular hole and then refer to it as a so-called circle as if it's not a self-fulfilled prophecy.
Did your best to search for something to moan about? It's a so called DM because he's in the defensive position, there is a reason Ole said 'so-called', because he doesn't operate in that way.
Pretty sure he means the position he plays in our system, which is 2 DMs. So when hes picked there and scores goals he's a goalscoring "so-called DM"
Yes Really.
I am not sure how often you have been on the threads but alot of fans on here have complained about McTominay. Mainly saying "why is Ole always playing 2 DM's"
Playing in a double pivot doesn't mean defensive... Pogba isn't a Dm and plays there alot. People have this perception because he plays with Fred or Matic he is a DM
Hadn't realised this one was in doubt. It's looking like such a stupid idea keeping the Euro comps going alongside domestic seasons. I know there simply isn't the time in the calendar to do something similar to last season (those stupid Euros have to be played), but they could have at least made these 1-legged ties surely.
Common sense is often to the contrary of broadcasting interests.
We are still in Europe, yeah right. Have been relegated to a second tier competition. Will Ole consider it as a regress, if we do not get to semis this season?
Since he specifically mentioned trophies, take a guess... But I'm sure you don't really care, you're just here to moan.
I am not moaning, I am stating a fact. Last season it was all about being in CL, and we have fooked it up in this competition. I do not see any progress whatsoever in Europe. Now as for deciding what I am here for, you'd better make those kind of conclusions about your family, relatives and friends and even they most probably will tell you to sod off.
Pretty sure we can afford some rotation over the next fortnight or so with Newcastle sandwiched between the Sociedad games. Would be great to see VDB get more minutes over the course of these fixtures.
Sounds like moaning to me fella.
Nah, just pissed about the way we lost against Leipzig and now all of a sudden seeing Ole mentioning Europe as a progress. Ffs, he himself said it was all about being in CL. Anyways, as we are not winning the league this season, here's hoping we win EL.
Decent press conference really, good to know the performing youngsters are getting a chance to train with the first team.
If we get a preseason before next season it'd be great to see if any of them can make a claim for a couple sub appearances and progress from there.
If we get a preseason before next season it'd be great to see if any of them can make a claim for a couple sub appearances and progress from there.
Even when talking about winning the EL you sneak in a moan about the league.
Stop moaning
You don't see any progress in Europe? We made it to CL for a start, we then had the hardest group with some outstanding performances, let down again by some awful defensive performances.
Do you see any progress in Europe? I see a huge disappointment thus far. If we do not reach semis in EL, it will actually be a regress compared to last season. Hopefully, we win the whole thing though.
What does this mean? That they are being inducted into the first team training now? But they will be going away to play reserve game now and then?
Train with the first ream, but due to the bubble restrictions they'll have to travel to the u23s games separately to the rest of the team
I see a big improvement, yes. We had the hardest group and put in some great displays to give us a chance most thought we didn't have. Ultimately let down by a poor defensive performance away.
Now your saying about where we have to reach in EL but you should compare the competition we face this year over last year rather than just the stage.
Last year we had Lask and Copenhagen before losing to Sevilla. Beating RS alone will be an improvement on last season.
Ok. Thanks
That's good news about Shola and Hannibal. Making it to the first team training while still in their teens. Clearly our flow of talent from the academy will increase under Ole.
Helps to tell the first team that if you don't perform, a teenager can come in and so better than you. Good sign.
Hopefully they get a few games here and there till the end of the season. Perhaps in the Europa.
Helps to tell the first team that if you don't perform, a teenager can come in and so better than you. Good sign.
Hopefully they get a few games here and there till the end of the season. Perhaps in the Europa.
Nah, it does not work like that. This really is ridiculous. We beat City last season, so what? It is all about points and final positions. This season we got beat by shite teams, are we worse than them then. Not reaching EL semis this season would be a downgrade for me. We are supposed to see an improvement, not yet anothet bottlejob.
So you're calling us bottlejobs before we've even played the game. Troll.
You can't claim beating Lask and Copenhagen last season would be a better season than beating Real Sociedad after beating PSG & Leipzig.
We've improved, in Europe, before we even beat RS and the win the comp.
Troll is your name and a surname would be bshitter to be called out. Now, English being my 4th language, go and re-read again which may improve your comprehension. IF we do not reach EL semis again it is a regress, and once again, one off games mean nothing. Now welcome to my bshitters blacklist, you bstobecalledout.
Youre not making any sense. No offense but it's obvious it's your 4th language but it's not an excuse for your overall point being nonsense.
One off games mean nothing but by winning one off games to get to the semis we've not regressed? Are you feeling OK?