Will Power

Monday, September 30, 2019

Solskjaer: My players can handle the pressure

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes his Manchester United players can handle anything that comes their way, as the Reds gear up to face Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Monday night’s clash against the Gunners will be our second meeting with a traditional top-six rival this season, following the 4-0 win over Chelsea on the opening weekend.

With some senior players set to miss the game, including Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial, Ole will again need to rely on other members of the squad to step up to the occasion.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the boss discussed his responsibility as manager to motivate the team, and insisted that his men can handle the pressure ahead of our floodlit encounter with Unai Emery’s side.

"“My job is to lead them, guide them and tell them that we trust them,”" the boss said. "“At any football club, the state of affairs is always the manager's responsibility. It's [down to] my decisions.

”"The players are here because they're good players and we trust them. I'm sure they can handle it.”

So far this season, United’s defence has been one of the sturdiest in the Premier League. Ahead of this weekend’s fixtures, only Liverpool and Leicester City had conceded fewer goals.

However, Ole acknowledged that the Reds have lacked some firepower at the opposite end of the pitch, with a tally of six goals in seven matches across all competitions since four were put past Chelsea.

"“We need to score more, definitely,”" admitted the manager. "“We're working on improving the relationships, the patterns, the understanding [between players]."

”I think that we've done great defensively, but of course we're not happy with the return going forward.”

Consistency seems to be a cornerstone of Ole's game plan - in the Premier League, only four alterations have been made to the XI that started against Chelsea on 11 August, with three of those changes being forced due to injury.

For last week's match against West Ham, the Norwegian named an unchanged XI for the second time this season, following our 1-0 success over Leicester City

"“We're getting more and more settled in the way we want to play,”" Ole said. "“We don't chop and change as much. Last season when I came in we had to change a bit more. "

"“When you decide on this as a long-term project, you need to find a way that you want to play and that's why I think it's easier for the players. [We tell them] 'OK, these are the principles we are going to play by.'”"

2 - Man Utd have named an unchanged starting XI in the Premier League for the second time this season - they didn't name a single unchanged side in this competition in 2018-19. Order. pic.twitter.com/a8zlZLdtKc
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 22, 2019

When asked about potentially changing his style, Ole affirmed: "“I'm not doubting myself. If I doubt myself, then I think the rest of the world would [doubt me] as well. We have had loads of discussions, so we believe in what we're doing.”"

Mata: There's no better feeling than scoring a goal

If there’s one thing Juan Mata knows, it’s how to create a goal for a team-mate.

The Spaniard has laid on exactly 50 assists in the Premier League since first coming to England with Chelsea in 2011, carving out a reputation as one of the game’s most creative playmakers.

It may come as a surprise, then, to read that Juan much prefers scoring goals to setting them up.

Our midfielder explains how finding the net makes him feel, as well as the intricacies behind a successful goal, in the final extract from his new autobiography ‘Juan Mata: Suddenly A Footballer’...

"“There is no better feeling in a football game than scoring a goal. Period. For a goalkeeper, saving a penalty might come close, but the feeling in that split second in which the ball crosses the line is unrepeatable. It is the orgasm of football, especially when it’s an important goal."

”Many times I’ve been asked if providing an assist feels as good. No chance. Like a penalty for the keeper, the feeling of laying on an assist is great, but it is never the same as scoring.

"“Playing that final pass is a brilliant feeling, particularly when all your team-mate needs to do is to push the ball into an empty net. Knowing that you’ve made a key contribution to a match gives you a real buzz, of course. And then there is the assist before the assist. In a football world fed by millions of stats, this is the one that can be missed. The pass before the final pass."

"“Sometimes, that ‘pre’ pass is the most important one, although it does not count as an assist. Well, for me, it should, or at least people should acknowledge how important that action is. I will try to explain what I mean with one example."

”The number ten in a team sees the left-back running and making a movement in behind the opponents’ defence line, and places the perfect ball for him/ her where nobody can defend. Then the left-back squares the ball to the striker, who reads the movement and is alone. Goal.

"“Who would claim the assist? Obviously the left-back. Which was the most important pass of the move to break the defence? The one from the number ten. Why does nobody count it? Stats are facts. Are real. Sure. But they don’t show everything that happens on a football pitch. Or at least not all the important things."

"“The pass before the assist can be the pass. Another important aspect of an assist is that you rely completely on your team-mates. You can make a fantastic pass and leave the striker alone against the goalkeeper, but if it doesn’t end up being a goal, there is no assist to claim."

"“Other times, you make an easy two yard pass in the middle of the pitch to a team-mate, he/she takes the ball and dribbles past three players and finishes with a goal and, as crazy as it sounds, you can claim that assist."

"“That’s the risk of only analysing a game (or a season) from the stats. For that matter, and if we are talking here about judging a player’s performance, the best way to do it for me is not only based on stats, but through the eyes, watching him or her play."

JUAN’S BOOK IS OUT NOW

Juan Mata is proud to support Common Goal which aims to unite the global football community in tackling the greatest social challenges of our time. He is giving 99 per cent of his proceeds from this book to this cause.

Why 99 per cent? Read the book to find out.

'Juan Mata: Suddenly A Footballer' is on sale now from the Manchester United club store.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Mata: Rooney was so vocal in the dressing room

Juan Mata is one of the more senior voices in the Manchester United side nowadays, with our young players no doubt looking to the Spaniard to set an example.

When Mata first signed for the Reds, Wayne Rooney – who would later go on to be club captain – would perform a similar role at a time when experienced players such as Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were moving on.

In the third of four extracts we’re publishing from Juan’s autobiography 'Juan Mata: Suddenly A Footballer’, the forward compares Rooney’s captaincy style to some of the other great leaders he’s played with...

“Wazza is the type to get everyone up for it and he would shout loudly in the dressing room before every game, half-time or even after if the performance was not up to standard.

“We could say that his way of leading was more vocal, more extrovert, bringing everyone together and even taking time to sit down with players individually, trying to help, making everyone feel comfortable.

“If Wazza did his bit to create that kind of atmosphere in his own way, I have to say that I’ve also encountered other players during my career with similar attributes or styles of leadership.

“I’ll give you the names: Sergio Ramos, Carles Puyol, John Terry. All of them natural-born leaders – vocal, passionate, intense. They had a key presence in the Spanish national team and Chelsea’s dressing room over many years. They were key to our success.”

Although the Spaniard arrived in Manchester after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, he also has a story to exemplify the Scot's unique style of authority...

“The sense of when and how to surprise your players is a great asset to a manager, which reminds me of a story I love about Sir Alex Ferguson, something which happened on United’s training ground when Cristiano Ronaldo was still at the club.

“Sir Alex, while directing a training session with the team, suddenly stopped the exercises and pointed at the sky. The players didn’t understand why. A group of geese were flying in their usual V-formation. “Look,” he suddenly said. “Look carefully, when they change direction, all of them do it, together. Not one of them is left behind”. Players looked confused at each other.

“In football, it’s the same. A team cannot win with one, two or three players going in a different direction. Only with 11 together we can win. Do like the geese.” And they kept training. And they won a lot together.

“What’s amazing is that the behaviour of the geese was something that Sir Alex had been told about by somebody else before. He had just stored that away in his mind, thinking the time would come when he, too, could use it to the advantage of his team.

“He did it. Geniuses do that. Some geniuses, though, do not know how to communicate their genius to the world and somebody has to tell them.

“To have both abilities, to be a thinker and a doer, like Sir Alex, is incredibly rare.”

JUAN’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE NOW

Juan Mata is proud to support Common Goal which aims to unite the global football community in tackling the greatest social challenges of our time.

He is giving 99 per cent of his proceeds from this book to this cause. Why 99 per cent? Read the book to find out.

'Juan Mata: Suddenly A Footballer' is on sale now from the Manchester United club store.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Ole: Greenwood's an option for Arsenal test

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Mason Greenwood is ready to step up to the plate in the Premier League.

In his press conference to preview Arsenal's visit on Monday night, the boss had high praise for the way our 17-year-old striker has capitalised on his opportunities in our two most recent home matches, to score his first senior goals for the club.

“In the last two games when he's started, Astana and Rochdale, he's proven that he's dangerous when you get him in the box,” Ole said.

“What's pleased me about him as well in this period is that he doesn't turn down chances to finish.

“When you're not 18 yet and you keep trusting yourself, he gets the chances, so I'm not worried about him at all.”

The emergence of Greenwood already has echoes of Marcus Rashford's breakthrough, given the way he scored on his Europa League debut at Old Trafford - just like our current no.10 did, famously grabbing a brace against FC Midtjylland in February 2016. Rashford, of course, followed that up by netting twice in his first Premier League appearance, at home to Arsenal.

Now, with Rashford a doubt and Anthony Martial ruled out with injury, the teenager – who turns 18 on Tuesday – could be given the opportunity to make a similar mark against the Gunners, in what would be only his second Premier League start.

When asked if Mason is ready to kick off against one of the country's top six sides, the boss replied: “Well, he might be.

“We can't just throw him in at the deep end all the time. We've managed him. But he's proved in those games [against Astana and Rochdale] that he's ready for it.

“Now it's the Premier League. I'll have the weekend to think about it.”

Greenwood is just one of several Academy graduates who have been given increased responsibility by Solskjaer this season.

Axel Tuanzebe, aged 21, was handed the captain’s armband in Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie, and Brandon Williams, 19, made his first-team debut by coming on as a substitute.

When asked to describe how he feels his squad is developing, the boss’s response was ebullient.

“In my own words? For me, it's a team improving, evolving. I think it's a young team, the culture is there.

“I see them every single day in training and we don't have any issues with attitude, work rate or desire.

“Now it's [a question of] can we trust ourselves? Can we find that composure?

“You could see against Astana and Rochdale, the boys want to impress, they want to do well and maybe they rushed a finish at times. It's getting there.”

Ole reveals team news for Arsenal clash

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has provided an update on his team plans for Manchester United's Premier League encounter with Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Paul Pogba is a doubt for Monday's game, despite making his comeback in the shoot-out win over Rochdale in the Carabao Cup, and Phil Jones is out until after the international break, after being withdrawn at half-time on Wednesday night.

Anthony Martial appears to have little chance of facing the Gunners, AZ Alkmaar or Newcastle United, but Marcus Rashford may return before next month's pause for more Euro 2020 qualifiers.

In more positive news, left-back Luke Shaw is doing well in his recovery and could be available again soon.

“Any injuries?” he said on MUTV, in an exclusive interview with Stewart Gardner. “There might be one or two who have not really come back. Paul was really struggling with his ankle as it was really swollen, so let’s see how that repairs. He got 90 minutes but was sore towards the end again.

”Phil will be out until after the international break and, do you know, you have to count these after every game but I think that’s it.

“I don’t think we’ll see Anthony before the international break. No, I don’t think so. Luke is improving so, hopefully, we’ll see him.”

During his press conference, Ole was asked if Rashford and Martial were both out of the Arsenal clash.

“Well, I wouldn't put my life on it, no, but that's part of this game,” he answered. “You work with what you have and we're looking forward to this game, of course.”

The boss told us earlier in the week that Diogo Dalot and Angel Gomes are also injured, hence their absence against Rochdale, but could be available for the Europa League tie with AZ Alkmaar.

Defenders Eric Bailly and Tim Fosu-Mensah remain out, although the latter did train with the group on Friday.

WHAT ARE ARSENAL'S PLANS?

Things are looking rosy for the Gunners on the injury front with Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and recent signing Kieran Tierney all appearing against Nottingham Forest in a comfortable 5-0 Carabo Cup third-round win in midweek.

French striker Alexandre Lacazette is still out, though, and there were also doubts over Konstantinos Mavropanos and Emile Smith-Rowe. Mavropanos is available for selection but Smith-Rowe is still being assessed.

The Londoners' youngsters, including Joe Willock, Bukayo Saka and Reiss Nelson, have been taking their chance to impress and must be in manager Emery's thoughts.

Mata: I call my mum before every single game

Juan Mata has experienced a lot during his career, from winning the World Cup and European Championship with Spain to scoring a match-winning double for Manchester United at Anfield.

The playmaker and founder of the Common Goal charity is one of the most decorated players in the game, having claimed both major European trophies as well as a raft of domestic cups during spells at Valencia, Chelsea and United, but he remains very close to his family back in his native Spain.

In the second of four extracts we’ll be publishing from Juan’s new autobiography, 'Juan Mata: Suddenly A Footballer', our midfielder explains the lengths his mother Marta goes to in order to keep in touch with him...

“My mother has always been more worried about my physical wellbeing during a match than the result. That’s why, even now, I always call her when I’m on the coach on the way to the stadium. Always.

“It’s a ritual that we both enjoy, and which is also an extra source of motivation for me. Be careful. Enjoy, shoot . . . and try not to get hurt,” are always her words. Heaven knows how she would cope if I were, say, a free skier. But for all that she gets rather nervous during games, she still doesn’t miss a single one. She’s even gone so far as to send me text messages during a game.

“She’s fully aware of the fact that, obviously, I can’t see it, so I imagine that she does it as a kind of release mechanism for her worry and sometimes frustration.

“Whenever I had a knock, or I looked slightly injured during a game, the first message on my phone is hers. ‘Are you OK? Tell me something when you can.’

“As I will explain fully in a later chapter, I was sent off for the first and, thankfully, only time in my career when I picked up two yellow cards in three minutes. The first message I received when I got into the dressing room was from, guess who? Yes, my mother. ‘How are you? It was harsh, but you learn from these sorts of things.’

“Sometimes, she even goes so far as to give me football ‘lessons’ (you understand now why her mother does the same, right?). ‘You should’ve shot there. You should’ve crossed it.’

“I guess it’s all part of being a mother, and we only have one.

“My mother is undoubtedly a key figure in my life. I will always do everything that’s in my hands to make her happy. She deserves it more than anyone else.”

HOW TO READ MORE FROM JUAN

Mata is proud to support Common Goal, which aims to unite the global football community in tackling the greatest social challenges of our time.

He is giving 99 per cent of his proceeds from this book to this cause. Why 99 per cent? Read the book to find out.

'Juan Mata: Suddenly A Footballer' is on sale now, online and from the Manchester United club store.

The just cause behind Juan Mata's autobiography

Manchester United forward Juan Mata’s autobiography ‘Suddenly A Footballer’ is available from today and the Spaniard has given us a series of extracts from the book.

The 31-year-ol, who is donating 99 per cent of the proceeds to the Common Goal cause, has revealed what inspired him to set up the charity in 2017.

In this snippet of the book, Juan reflects on one of the most famous nights from his playing career and how it had a profound effect on his thinking.

He is referring to an evening in Munich seven years ago, when he won the UEFA Champions League trophy with his former club Chelsea and a group of team-mates from around the world.

Mata states that the unity he feels with his team-mates, at any club, makes him believe that football can come together for a ‘common goal’…

“One thing I know for sure, one of the few things I’m certain of about my future, is that I will always be involved in ‘football for good’, even after my playing career.

”It is undoubtedly one of the closest causes to my heart, and it is a great opportunity to put the platform I enjoy as a player at the service of something I believe in, and which – I hope – will last long after the name ‘Mata’ has disappeared from a teamsheet.

“It gives a deeper meaning to what being a professional football player is. That’s why on August 4, 2017, I launched something that I, with the assistance of others within the world of football, hoped would help change the world, even if only in some small way.

“Something which was born out of my love for football, out of what I’d experienced through it, like that extraordinary, life-changing moment in the Allianz Arena five years before. The Champions League final.

”After we scored that equaliser: I just knew. When we went to penalty kicks: I still knew. When Didier Drogba stepped up to take the final penalty, I was sure he was going to score. I think the expression on his face after the ball went in said everything. He didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. He was overwhelmed, like we all were. And as soon as the craziness died down — I immediately thought of my family.

“Everyone was there in the crowd that night: my dad, mum, grandparents, friends. I knew the penalties must have been stressful for them – especially my poor grandmother.

”Later on, someone told me that she had been so nervous that she actually had to hide in the bathroom towards the end of the match. But it was in this exact moment, when we were celebrating, when I looked around at my team-mates, and I saw something truly beautiful, and which football is one of very few things to offer.

“We had a keeper from the Czech Republic, a defender from Serbia, and another from Brazil, midfielders from Ghana, Nigeria, Portugal, Spain and England; and, of course, one unique striker from the Côte D’Ivoire.

”We came from all over the world, our backgrounds had little in common, and we spoke many different languages. Some had grown up in countries ravaged by war, some had grown up in poverty, others, like me, in peace and relative comfort; but there we were, all standing together in Germany, as the new champions of Europe.

“The way we had come together from all around the world to work for a common goal was something that struck me. What about using that unique bond which football can create between strangers to change the world for the better?”

HOW TO READ MORE FROM JUAN

Mata is proud to support Common Goal, which aims to unite the global football community in tackling the greatest social challenges of our time.

He is giving 99 per cent of his proceeds from this book to this cause. Why 99 per cent? Read the book to find out.

'Juan Mata: Suddenly A Footballer' is on sale now, online and from the Manchester United club store.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Confirmed: Our Carabao Cup fourth-round opponents

Manchester United have been drawn away to Chelsea in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

The draw took place after the Reds eliminated Rochdale on penalties on Wednesday night in the third round of the competition, following a 1-1 draw against the League One side.

Mason Greenwood bagged United’s only goal of the night, while 16-year-old Luke Matheson scored for the visitors.

The Reds netted all five penalties after the conclusion of the game, to win 5-3 in the shoot-out and set up the fourth-round tie with Chelsea, the first time we have met them in the League Cup since the sides played out a nine-goal thriller in 2012.

During that remarkable game seven years ago, which went to extra time, Chelsea emerged as 5-4 winners, with Ryan Giggs (2), Javier Hernandez and Nani getting the goals for United.

We have, of course, met Chelsea more recently than that and, when we last locked horns with the Londoners, United enjoyed a superb 4-0 opening-day win in the Premier League this term.

Elsewhere, Liverpool have been paired with Arsenal, while Manchester City are set to welcome Southampton to the Etihad Stadium.

All fourth-round ties will take place in the week commencing Monday 28 October.

CARABAO CUP FOURTH ROUND:

Aston Villa v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Burton Albion v Leicester City
Crawley Town v Colchester United
Chelsea v Manchester United
Everton v Watford
Liverpool v Arsenal
Manchester City v Southampton
Oxford United v Sunderland

Ole prepared for tough away run

Manchester United’s fourth-round Carabao Cup draw with Chelsea means the Reds will face four away games in just 10 days at the end of October and start of November.

United secured our spot in the next round of the cup competition after eliminating Rochdale on Wednesday night on penalties, and the subsequent tie at Stamford Bridge means we will play four back-to-back games on the road.

The spell begins after the home clash with Liverpool, when we travel to Partizan Belgrade on Thursday 24 October in our third match of the Europa League group stage, three days before we make the journey to Norwich to take on Daniel Farke’s Canaries.

After that fixture in East Anglia, we’re back in cup action when we travel to Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup clash, which looks set to take place on either 29 or 30 October, before we end our four-game away run at Bournemouth for a 12:30 BST kick-off on Saturday 2 November.

Asked immediately after the Carabao Cup draw on Wednesday about the schedule, Ole was already aware of the upcoming four-game run.

“It slots nicely into a couple of weeks with lots of travelling,” he told MUTV, smiling.

“That’s how it is. We’ve got to make the best out of it, and I’m sure we will, because that’s the type of group this is and that’s the type of club we are.”

The run also means, following Monday’s Premier League game with Arsenal, six of the Reds’ next seven games will be away from home, including the upcoming trips to AZ Alkmaar and Newcastle United in the first week of October.

Tuanzebe: Captaining United was a special moment

Axel Tuanzebe did not know he was going to be Manchester United’s captain until minutes before the Reds' Carabao Cup third round tie against Rochdale.

The 21-year-old got the shock of his life when he was ordered to referee John Brooks’ room to do the pre-match skipper’s duties by United assistant boss Mike Phelan.

And Tuanzebe was in fantasy land as he walked out of the tunnel to lead Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side out.

"“Dreams do come true. I had goosebumps as I was walking out. It is something I have been working on for a long time and the moment finally came,”" Axel told us.

"“I am just grateful to the manager and grateful to the club and the players I am playing with for sharing this moment with me."

"“It was a nice surprise. I was literally getting ready to stretch and loosen up and Mike Phelan just came to me and said 'are you ready to go and see the referee'. "

"“I said ‘what do you mean?’ and he said, 'Come on you are captain'. So I said 'alright, let’s get it'.”"

Tuanzebe was brought up in Rochdale and attended school in the town: he was even named Sports Boy of the Year a decade ago by the Mayor.

"“It made it that bit more sweeter, a bit more special,”" said Axel.

"“I had a lot of family and friends who came to watch the game so to have my first game as captain in front of them was remarkable.”"

Rochdale took United to the wire before Daniel James scored the deciding penalty shoot-out winner after the match ended 1-1.

"“They defended well first and foremost,”" said the England Under-21 international.

"“Big respect to them, they came out here and battled all the way. They had confidence. It is a hard place to come to, Old Trafford, and play. But they did and all respect to them and good luck to them for the season."

"“We had a lot of chances that we weren’t able to execute, but we always find a way to win and we are through to the next round, and that is important.”"

United travel to Chelsea for the fourth round next month in an all-Premier League blockbuster.

"“These are the kind of games you want to be playing,”" said Axel. "“People dismiss the Carabao Cup and say it is a nothing kind of trophy. But you respect the teams who are in it and you respect the competition. Chelsea will be a big game and we want to win it and march on.”"

Andreas: We can repeat Chelsea cup success

Andreas Pereira insists Manchester United can repeat our Emirates FA Cup win at Chelsea last season when we travel to Stamford Bridge for the fourth-round Carabao Cup clash next month.

The Reds’ reward for a nerve-jangling 5-3 penalty shoot-out triumph against Rochdale in the third round at Old Trafford is a visit to Frank Lampard’s side in London.

United were level with Rochdale in the Old Trafford tie, 1-1 after 90 minutes, but Sergio Romero’s save against Jimmy Keohane helped clinch victory.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men opened this season with a 4-0 Premier League win in the first game of the campaign and, last February, the boss engineered a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Goals from Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba saw United through and Andreas is convinced it is not beyond United to take another step towards Wembley.

"“It’s a good game, a tough game [against Chelsea]. We’ll prepare for it and try to win the game,”" he told MUTV.

"“It can be done. I think we have to aim [to go] all the way and we have to take every game step by step. Of course, we’re in it to win it."

"“We’ll prepare for the game but, better still, now we have to focus for the next game against Arsenal [next Monday night at Old Trafford]."“""

United struggled to convert our chances before getting over the line against League One side Rochdale.

"“We were comfortable on the ball, we were on the ball most of the time of the game,”" said the midfielder.

"“We couldn’t find really the pass through and finish the chances off but we had a lot of shots and a lot of finishes. We were a bit unlucky in that."

"“I think, after we scored, the first goal we stopped. We have to push more and try to get the second goal and the third one."

"“We woke up after the 1-1 and then got a lot of chances but we didn’t get the goal."

Mason Greenwood looked like he’d repeated his matchwinner against Astana in the Europa League, when he struck in the 68th minute only to have his goal equalised by Luke Matheson eight minutes later.

"“It was a good strike by Mason, he’s there to score goals and that’s what he does,”" said Andreas, who also found the net in front of the Stretford End during the shoot-out.

"“It’s a good feeling, I had the feeling like I was, for sure, going to score,”" he said.

"“The Stretford End just sucked the ball in, so it was a good feeling. It’s a long walk to the spot but, no, I’m sure everyone wanted me to score and I had the feeling as well."“""

United had seven Academy products in the second half XI against Dale when 19-year-old full back Brandon Williams came on as a half-time substitute for his first senior appearance.

"“He did really well,"“ added Amdreas. ”"I was very impressed with him. He showed he has quality and can play with us. I’m very happy for him and hopefully he can enjoy tonight."“""

Goalscorer Greenwood named Man of the Match

Mason Greenwood has been named Manchester United's Man of the Match after we booked our place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a penalty shoot-out win over Rochdale.

The 17-year-old scored the opening goal of the night – the second time he’s struck in front of the Stretford End in the space of a week after his effort against Astana – and took home 49 per cent of your vote on our Official App.

The teenager also stepped up to coolly sidefoot home the fourth of our five successful spot-kicks, with his less favoured right foot, and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once again commended his ability in front of goal.

"“He’s got two great feet, [he took the penalty] with his right,”" the boss told MUTV.

"“It must be a nightmare for defenders having him one-on-one in the box. As you say, he can go both ways, which is, for me, fantastic. You can just see he’s got quality and he’ll get his share of games but he’s young."

"“We’ll allow him to grow slowly but surely.”"

Sergio Romero came second in the voting with 21%, thanks largely to his penalty save from the visitors’ Jimmy Keohane.

On a largely quiet night for the Argentinian, he guessed the correct way to palm the Irishman’s effort safely away from goal and that proved to be the only attempt from 12 yards not converted.

Axel Tuanzebe, who captained the Reds for the first time, at the age of 21, put in a solid performance in the centre of defence and 16% of you thought he was the stand-out man for United, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka polled 14%, with his best moment being a sublime goalline clearance to prevent the visitors’ Callum Camps from opening the scoring.

Solskjaer reacts to shoot-out trumph

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised his players after they coolly converted all our penalties in the 5-3 shoot-out victory over Rochdale in the Carabao Cup.

After a 1-1 draw in normal time, Juan Mata, Andreas Pereira, Fred, Mason Greenwood and Daniel James all found the net from 12 yards to book the Reds a fourth-round tie at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea at the end of next month.

Here's what the boss had to say to MUTV after the evening's dramatic finale...

PERFECT PENALTIES

"“Yeah, we handled that really well. I think everyone, they just wanted to take penalties, they went up there as they did against AC Milan in Cardiff. I’m very pleased with the confidence. Dan is asking to take the penalty and that’s what you want, you want players to come there and say 'give it to me'."“""

WE NEED TO MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR OURSELVES

"“We go 1-0 up in many games and, today again, we go 1-0 up and you think go on then, get the second, which is the key now. And that’s a learning curve for these boys as well. We need to go for the second. At this club, we don’t just sit back and hope that’s enough. If you settle for good enough, that’s not what we want.”"

ANOTHER GREAT FINISH FROM GREENWOOD

"“He’s got two great feet, [he took the penalty] with his right. It must be a nightmare for defenders having him one-on-one in the box. As you say, he can go both ways, which is, for me, fantastic. You can just see he’s got quality and he’ll get his share of games but he’s young. "

"“We’ll allow him to grow slowly but surely.”"

THOUGHTS ON CHELSEA

"“If you want to win it, you have to beat the best. We played [Chelsea] in the first game of the season this year, we played them in the FA Cup last year. And it slots nicely into a couple of weeks with lots of travelling [United play Partizan Belgrade, Norwich City, Chelsea and Bournemouth, all away from home, in the space of nine days]. That’s how it is. We’ve got to make the best out of it, and I’m sure we will because that’s the type of group this is and that’s the type of club we are. "

"“We’re going to relish it and look forward to it.”"

Carabao Cup: Man. United 1 Rochdale 1 (Man. United won 5-3 on penalties)

Sergio Romero took centre stage to help Manchester United avoid a Carabao Cup shock as the Reds keeper broke Rochdale’s hearts in a penalty shoot-out.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were taken to a nerve-jangling finale after the third-round tie ended 1-1.

Mason Greenwood scored his second goal in a week in normal time only for his second-half effort to be cancelled out by 16-year-old Luke Matheson. However, United’s Argentinian goalkeeper was the hero as he saved the League One side’s second penalty, taken by Jimmy Keohane, of the dramatic spot-kick contest.

United had a 100 per cent record from the spot as Juan Mata, Andreas Pereira, Fred and Greenwood all scored before Daniel James hit the clincher.

Axel Tuanzebe, who was brought up in Rochdale and was handed the captaincy for the night, had to be alert when Rochdale mounted the first attack of the night.

Fred was dispossessed by Oliver Rathbone and Callum Camps sensed a potential big moment as the Stretford End held its collective breath, but Tuanzebe was quick to dampen the danger with a rescuing tackle.

Paul Pogba, on his return to the XI from injury after missing three matches, had United’s first major chance. Dale got themselves into a mess attempting to play the ball out from defence and the Reds midfielder seized on a loose ball but sent his long-range shot over the bar.

Shooting from distance caught on in United’s ranks and a flurry of efforts had Rochdale rocking. Andreas and Fred both had attempts blocked then Andreas had another blockbuster beaten away by keeper Robert Sanchez.

United were creating few chances in the penalty area but it was the unlikely figure of defender Marcos Rojo who was given the first real close-range opportunities in the space of two minutes.

The left-back had a stooping header saved from eight yards after 26 minutes and then held his head in his hands as he steered another nodded effort wide from a corner.

It was Pogba’s turn to beat himself up in the 34th minute when he squandered arguably the best chance of a breakthrough. The Frenchman was picked out expertly by Greenwood’s cross but, as he stormed into the six-yard area, Pogba headed over.

Rochdale again laid a chance on for United when, once more, their elaborate efforts to pass their way out of the back came unstuck. The error allowed Greenwood a clear run on goal.

However, the teenager couldn’t win his one-on-one shooting duel with keeper Sanchez.

Jesse Lingard was next to clock up a near miss in the 43rd minute when his glancing header landed on the roof of the net. Rojo remained keen to be the one to break the deadlock and, just before the interval, he sent a low drive skidding just wide.

United’s Academy strength became even more evident when 19-year-old Brandon Williams made his first senior appearance, coming on for Phil Jones at half-time. It meant the Reds lined up in the second half with seven players brought up through the Old Trafford ranks.

The Reds almost got a fortuitous opener six minutes after the interval when an Andreas shot was deflected just wide off Keohane. Rochdale’s response was immediate and a frightener for Old Trafford.

Ex-Reds youngster Rathbone calmly and cleverly danced his way into United’s box and got close to goal before slipping a ball back to Camps. His mishit snapshot was cleared off the line superbly by Aaron Wan-Bissaka to get United off the hook.

The goalmouth action was heating up and the Reds hit back with a left-foot drive by Greenwood slipping just past the post. Lingard and Greenwood both went close, with the latter being set up by James soon after he replaced Tahith Chong.

The evening was beginning to get edgy before Greenwood stepped up again.

In the 68th minute, sub Williams showed his power and drive as he went at Rochdale and United then switched the ball out to the Reds striker, via Lingard. Against Astana, he fired in with his right foot but this time he got the ball onto his left and cracked the ball home to break Rochdale's stubborn defiance.

United only had eight minutes in the lead before the visitors stunned Old Trafford.

On a night for fresh-faced youngsters it was Dale's own teen, Matheson, who levelled the tie up in the 76th minute. He half-volleyed Rathbone's high cross into the net as he burst in from the right, with the bounce taking it over desperate attempts to clear by Pogba on the line.

United's desperately tried to avoid the penalty shoot-out but couldn't come up with a winner in added-on time, with Wan-Bissaka, Fred and Andreas passing up openings. It was left to James to ensure the Reds progressed to face Chelsea in the next round with the 5-3 win on penalties.

United: Romero; Wan-Bissaka, Jones (Williams 45), Tuanzebe (c), Rojo; Fred, Pogba; Pereira, Lingard (Mata 85), Chong (James 60); Greenwood.

Subs not used: Grant, Lindelof, Garner, McTominay.

Goals: Greenwood 68

Bookings: Williams.

Rochdale: Sanchez, Norrington-Davies, McNulty, Dooley (Wilbraham 75), Williams, Camps, Keohane, Rathbone (Andrew 80), Morley, Henderson (c) ((Ryan 90), Matheson

Subs not used: Lynch, Bradley, Tavares, Thomas.

Goals: Matheson 76

Attendance: 58,314

Tuanzebe: The Red from Rochdale

Manchester United face Rochdale in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, and, for Axel Tuanzebe, the game will have an extra dimension.

The 21-year-old defender, who has featured for the Reds in the Premier League and Europa League this term, grew up in the Lancashire town and played for his school team there, before moving on to United.

Tuanzebe, who will be eager to make his mark against our League One opponents, revealed to United Review, that, while some of his classmates at school were off supporting our upcoming visitors, there was only one team for him.

"“I’d say it was a tight neighbourhood, especially where I was anyway,”" he told us. "“It was just a big group of friends and we came together and loved to play football. It was a friendly neighbourhood, with positive vibes, and I only have good memories of Rochdale."

"“A couple of lads in my school team were Rochdale fans, who would go to the stadium and watch games. I was always more into United so that was my focus – playing for the club, I always wanted to follow our progress.”"

While Axel may never have pulled on a Rochdale shirt in a professional capacity, he does have an association with the club. His older brother Dimitri, two years his senior, was on Dale's books as a youngster.

"“He actually played at Rochdale until the youth team. He grew up in the system. I remember we both went on trial and I ended up coming to United. It was a different environment and it was funny as he’d have stories we’d share, with him being older. Obviously, it was a heads-up on what to expect with Rochdale being a lower-league team. It was more brutal an upbringing in a tougher environment."

"“He’d tell me some stories about the running sessions and gym sessions and they were pretty funny, to be fair.”"

Axel's physicality and versatility in defence has seen him win plenty of plaudits following his 18-month loan spell at Aston Villa. The defender explained, however, that it was his time in the park with his brother that saw him start to learn the tools of the defensive trade.

"“It was so competitive,”" he said. "“You had to win or it would ruin your day. It was like ‘smash’! If you can handle it, go in. If you can’t, sit it out. That’s just how it was. It wasn’t an easy environment."

"“I think it all comes down to those days in the park, being with the older people. You kind of need to learn to keep up or grow up fast to maintain that level. I think, when I came here and started playing, mentally, I always felt older. I wanted to accelerate my progression.”"

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

United's record against Greater Manchester clubs

Manchester United face Rochdale in the Carabao Cup tomorrow night in what is the first meeting with our neighbours from the north of the region since 1986.

Greater Manchester is one of England's football hotbeds, with seven clubs from our area, including United, currently playing in the Premier League and Football League. We’ve never faced Salford City in a competitive match, but we do have previous against ex-league members Bury and Stockport County.

Our rivalry with Manchester City is well-known, but what's our record like against the rest of the clubs from the region?

Let’s take a look as we recall a memorable showdown with each:

BOLTON WANDERERS

The rivalry with Wanderers has subsided since their relegation seven years ago, but our mutual history goes back to 1892 and takes in showdowns across two divisions and both cup competitions, including the 1958 FA Cup Final defeat just months after the Munich Air Disaster. In the mid-2000s, Bolton were a strong Premier League outfit, qualifying for Europe in 2005 and 2007. In the latter campaign, however, the Trotters were destroyed by a resurgent Reds at Old Trafford, with Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ji-Sung Park at their clinical, counter-attacking best. A brace from the Korean and a goal of the season contender from Rooney put us three goals up within the first 25 minutes, with Ronaldo at the centre of everything. Rooney added another in the second half with a crashing volley and, despite a late Gary Speed consolation, we maintained our six-point lead at the top of the Premier League and went on to regain the title after a four-year gap.

Overall record: P121 W54 D25 L42

BURY

United v Bury was a common occurrence on fixture lists until the 1930s, with the Shakers top-flight regulars. After they were relegated to the third tier prior to World War II, meetings with our neighbours became rare – a third round League Cup triumph at Old Trafford in 1998, with current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the scoresheet, being our last prior to Bury’s expulsion from the Football League. On that occasion, Neil Warnock’s visiting side frustrated a youthful United side for long spells and forced extra time at Old Trafford. Penalties looked like being on the cards until the Norwegian struck. Ole’s fellow countryman Erik Nevland then netted his only goal for the Reds to seal the win.

Overall record: P44 W23 D8 L13

OLDHAM ATHLETIC

United haven’t played Oldham since a 4-1 FA Cup semi-final replay victory in 1994, the same year in which the Latics were relegated from the Premier League. Another semi-final triumph, from four seasons previously, is more fondly remembered, however, as it paved the way for Sir Alex Ferguson’s first trophy at the club. Held across the city at Maine Road, it was a six-goal thriller that saw both teams come from behind. Earl Barrett gave the-then Division Two side an early lead, before goals from Bryan Robson and Neil Webb turned the game on its head. Ian Marshall’s 81st minute equaliser ushered in extra time, during which Danny Wallace put us ahead until Roger Palmer struck to send the game to a replay. United emerged victorious from that game, also staged at Maine Road, and would go on to beat Palace in the showpiece event in another helter-skelter showdown.

Overall record: P44 W21 D12 L11

ROCHDALE

The only time we've ever played tomorrow’s opponents was in the third round of the FA Cup in 1985/86. Ron Atkinson’s Reds had memorably won the trophy at Wembley the previous May, with Norman Whiteside’s extra-time goal seeing off champions Everton and we got our title defence off to the perfect start, dispatching The Dale 2-0 at Old Trafford. Frank Stapleton and Mark Hughes scored the goals, but there was to be no trip to the national stadium later that year as we would go on to lose to West Ham in a fifth round replay.

Overall record: P1 W1 D0 L0

STOCKPORT COUNTY

As with Bury, meetings with the Hatters have been few and far between since the war. Older Reds, however, may recall a second round League Cup tie in 1978. County, then in the Fourth Division and managed by City legend Mike Summerbee, were in dire financial straits and the game had to be switched to Old Trafford from Edgeley Park. Nevertheless, Stockport looked like causing a major upset as goals from Alan Thompson and Garry Park helped overturn Joe Jordan’s opener. With Gordon McQueen then seeing red for kicking Derek Loadwick, Dave Sexton's men were heading for an embarrassing exit until, in injury-time, Sammy McIlroy bundled home a free-kick to level the scores. The visitors were headed for a much-deserved replay until the referee awarded United a dubious penalty, which Jimmy Greenhoff thumped home.

Overall record: P19 W10 D2 L7

WIGAN ATHLETIC

Our first meeting with Wigan came as recently as 2005, when Paul Jewell’s side were promoted to the Premier League. Later that season, we defeated the Latics 4-0 in the League Cup Final in Cardiff, but many Reds will recall a visit to the DW Stadium on the last day of the 2007/08 season as one of their best away trips. We went into the game level on points with title rivals Chelsea and needed a victory to guarantee a 17th championship. A Cristiano Ronaldo penalty gave us a narrow half-time lead, but, with the Blues 1-0 up against Bolton at Stamford Bridge, the pressure was still on. Enter Ryan Giggs who, after being introduced as a substitute to draw level with Sir Bobby Charlton’s appearance record, struck with 10 minutes to go to send the away supporters wild.

Overall record: P19 W18 D0 L1

Gomes determined to impose himself

Angel Gomes is determined to take his opportunity and show he belongs in the Manchester United first team.

The 19-year-old made his first competitive start for the club in the 1-0 victory over Astana in the Europa League last Thursday and came off the bench in the weekend's defeat to West Ham United.

He is hoping to be involved again, when Rochdale provide the opposition at Old Trafford tonight (Wednesday) in the Carabao Cup, and is keen to display his ability on the ball. The youngster feels he is growing in confidence all the time after being trusted by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and appreciates this is a chance to shine at senior level.

"“It’s something I have worked for my whole life,”" he explained to MUTV. "“I really don’t want to just see myself as a young player coming up now. I want to impose myself and impose what I can do, and not just show the fans but show the club what I am here for really.”"

When asked if the next step is moving on from being a young player into a developed one, he replied: "“It’s what we’re trying to achieve. We’re there now in the first team and it’s how you’ve got to think."

"“It’s exciting times. Obviously, I grew up here, all my life, and just being here is amazing for me really. Being in the first team is something I’ve worked for and I’m slowly realising it.”"

Gomes is targeting success in the competition, even if this is United's first assignment, at the third-round level, as he believes it is important the club sets strong objectives.

"“Growing up at United, winning trophies is all the club knows really,”" he said. "“We’ll try to emulate that and get as far down the line as possible in the competition."

"“No [I don't think it's too early to start looking that far ahead]. Not really. We’ve got to set standards and have the winning mentality. The higher standards we set, the harder we can work towards trying to achieve them."

”I thought I did okay [against Astana]. I tried to get into pockets and tried to go forward, when I could, to create chances. A personal aim is to create a few more chances and get a goal for myself or make a decisive pass that leads to a goal.

"“It [showing skill on the ball] comes with confidence, and having more game time and, obviously, more opportunities to show yourself, so it’s something you can expect from the coming games.”"

The homegrown product was delighted that Mason Greenwood got off the mark for the senior side against Astana and posted a picture on social media of the pair together as schoolboys with the club.

"“I’ve played with Mason from the Under-9s really so it was great to see him score as well,”" the midfielder added. "“And it was obviously great to play with Chongy [Tahith Chong] as well because I’ve played with him from the start of the Under-18s. We all have that understanding and hunger to try and score.

"“It has been a very long journey. Mason and I grew up playing in the Under-9s and in a lot of tournaments. There are a lot more pics I could have posted but I tried to get a few of the other lads in there too. You can see Dylan [Levitt] and Dion [McGhee]. So it was great for him to score his first professional goal. He deserves it. He works hard every day and hopefully a lot more of us can demonstrate that as well.”""

Gomes feels he knows what to expect from Rochdale, who'll be backed by 5,500 away supporters and will feature a United Academy graduate, Oliver Rathbone, in their ranks.

"“They're a League One side, a tough team and physical but that's part of the game anyway,”" said Angel. "“Every team we play against will be physical, that's a given, so I don't really take that into consideration."

”We’ll try to play our football and attack as much possible, trying to show our strengths.

"“They’ll come out all guns blazing, I would imagine. It’s a big game for them, they’ve not played against our club for a long time and they have an ex-United player in Oli Rathbone. "

”I grew up watching him as he was two or three age-groups above me. I know him quite well so hopefully he’ll play and I’ll be able to play against him."“"

Woodward: Winning trophies is always our aim

Ed Woodward says the club has installed "“the building blocks for success”" by focusing on long-term strategy and continued investment on and off the pitch in "“a desire to get Manchester United back to the top of English football.”"

Speaking to investors on a call to announce our quarterly earnings, the executive vice-chairman explained that many of the improvements have been made in areas away from the spotlight, for example at the Aon Training Complex and in the Academy and the recruitment department.

“Success means winning trophies; that target and that standard has never changed for Manchester United,” said Woodward.

“The progress we have made on the business side underpins the continued investment in the football side. Much of the progress made around that investment is behind the scenes and therefore isn’t immediately apparent to those on the outside looking in.

“For example, we’ve materially expanded our recruitment department in recent years to increase its efficiency and productivity. Many of the senior staff in these roles have been at the club for over 10 years. Recruitment recommendations and decisions are worked on by this department as well as the manager and his team.

“These investments, together with the commitment we have made to Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] and his coaching staff in March have given us the building blocks for success. Whilst we are confident this investment will deliver results, it’s important that we are patient while Ole and his team build for the future. We will continue to focus on the long-term strategy – and won’t be influenced by short-term distractions.”

As to whether the club will recruit a Head or Director of Football, Woodward explained that while the summer recruitment process was successful, the opportunity to evolve the structure and roles on the football side is one the club is still exploring.

“We are continually reviewing and looking at the potential to evolve our structure on the football side. Much of the speculation around this type of role focuses purely on recruitment, an area that we have evolved in recent years.

"“We feel the players that we have signed this summer demonstrate that this approach is the right one. As always with Manchester United, speculation around the summer transfer window was intense and the club was linked with hundreds of players, almost all without foundation. Despite this, our recruitment department’s robust process and early alignment on targets with the manager meant we were able to approach the window in a focused and disciplined way.

"“Our new signings - Dan James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire - joined a strong squad and we executed contract renewals for a number of our key players, including Marcus Rashford, David De Gea and Victor Lindelof as well as Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw amongst others earlier in the season.

"“The sale and loaning of players this summer has also allowed the manager to involve more of our young players and provide a firm foundation and a culture ready for building the next trophy-winning squad.

"“Returning to the roots of our club’s ethos of youth-led attacking football is the right way forward and everyone at the club - the Board, the manager, the squad and all of the staff – remains resolute in our desire to get Manchester United back to the top of English football. We will continue to make the necessary investments to make this happen across our first-team players, our Academy and our recruitment department.""""

"“This long-term approach to building a squad is the right one. We are optimistic for the future.”"

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Ole's options for Carabao Cup tie

Manchester United's Carabao Cup campaign begins on Wednesday, against Rochdale at Old Trafford, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looking to rotate his squad during a congested period of fixtures.

Our third-round tie against the League One side is the first of three matches to take place in eight days, which includes Arsenal in the Premier League and a European away day against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.

Wednesday's game could see the return of Paul Pogba. The Frenchman has been out of action since withdrawing from the France national team with an ankle injury. “He'll probably get some minutes against Rochdale,” the boss said. “But we definitely think he’s ready for Arsenal.”

The World Cup winner should be available for the midweek contest if the manager opts for his experience in the middle of the park.

Mason Greenwood was absent from Saturday's squad with a bout of tonsillitis, and the youngster, who scored his first senior goal for United in our Europa League win against Astana, will be hoping to be back in contention to play this week.

However the boss will be without Marcus Rashford, who was substituted after an hour in our 2-0 defeat to West Ham due to an injury. It's not known how serious the injury is or how long Marcus will be out for, but Ole will be unable to select the England international due to his groin problem.

Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial will both miss Wednesday's match, as the full-back and centre-forward continue their recovery from injuries sustained before the international break, while Eric Bailly remains sidelined with his long-term knee problem.

A LOOK AT THE OPPOSITION

As for Rochdale, our local visitors have received a boost by the return of veteran striker, Aaron Wilbraham. The 39-year-old who has played for Hull City, Bolton Wanderers and Bristol City to name a few, returned to Dale's squad in their 2-1 defeat to Fleetwood Town at the weekend, following a spell out with a calf injury.

“It’s great news for everyone,“ said manager Brian Barry-Murphy. ”He’s an inspirational figure within our dressing room and one who sets the tone with his example on the pitch. It’s a big lift to everyone at a time when we might have few injury problems.“

Centre-back Eoghan O'Connell was substituted in Rochdale's defeat at Highbury Stadium, and may not be back in time for the trip to Old Trafford this week. “Eoghan was injured so he had to come off. We haven’t got a big squad so it’s imperative that we protect our players and try to miss out on any long-term injuries.“

Former United youth prospect Ollie Rathbone could feature against his former club on Wednesday. The central midfielder has made 11 appearances in all competitions for the visitors this season, scoring against local rivals Bolton Wanderers in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

Your guide to the week ahead for United

There may not be a Premier League fixture this week, but there is plenty going on in the world of Manchester United, with the first team, Under-23s, Under-18s and women's team all in action.

Take a look below at what lies ahead for the Reds over the next seven days...

MONDAY

The week begins with the Under-23s in Premier League 2 action against Aston Villa at the Banks's Stadium in Walsall. It has been an undefeated start to the campaign for Neil Wood's young Reds, who occupy second place in the table with four wins from the first five games. They hope to continue that run against a Villa side that have one win to their name. Kick-off is at 19:00 BST and you can watch the match live on MUTV from 18:30 BST.

Monday also marks the 27-year anniversary of David Beckham's United debut, as a substitute for Andrei Kanchelskis in a League Cup tie against Brighton & Hove Albion on 23 September 1992.

TUESDAY
The players will continue preparations at the Aon Training Complex for Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie against Rochdale at Old Trafford. We will also wish a happy birthday to our assistant manager, Mike Phelan.

WEDNESDAY
United return to Old Trafford to face Rochdale in the third round of the Carabao Cup. This will be the first time that we've faced our Greater Manchester neighbours since an FA Cup game in 1986. MUTV's live coverage of the game will begin at 18:30 BST, 90 minutes ahead of kick-off.

THURSDAY
This will be the 63-year anniversary of the club's biggest win in European competition, when Matt Busby's United beat Anderlecht 10-0 at Old Trafford in the second leg of a European Cup tie. Dennis Viollet scored four and Tommy Taylor helped himself to a hat-trick, while Liam Whelan and Johnny Berry were also on the scoresheet in a 12-0 aggregate win.

FRIDAY
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces the media for his pre-match press conference. You can follow what the boss has to say in the official Manchester United app, and by watching on MUTV.

In the evening, United's Under-23s are back in action with a 19:00 BST kick-off against Norwich City. You can watch the action live on MUTV.

SATURDAY
There may be no first-team match until Monday, but there is still plenty going on over the weekend with United Women and our Under-18s in action.

Despite suffering two defeats in the opening matches of the season, to Manchester City and Arsenal, Casey Stoney's side have performed well and remain confident of earning a positive result against rivals Liverpool at Leigh Sports Village, where kick-off is scheduled for 12:00 BST.

Meanwhile, Neil Ryan's Under-18s are set to host Leicester City at the Aon Training Complex in the Premier League Cup, with the match also getting under way at 12:00 BST.

SUNDAY
With one day to go until the first-team match against Arsenal, you can catch up with the uncut version of Ole's pre-match press conference on MUTV from 22:30 BST. Make sure to check the Official App for all the latest team news too.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Solskjaer encouraged by squad's desire

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer endorsed his players’ attitude and work ethic following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham United.

The Reds suffered a first away loss of the season, with goals from Andriy Yarmolenko and Aaron Cresswell at the London Stadium causing us to come away from the capital with nothing.

While it was undoubtedly a frustrating afternoon, Ole rejected any notion that the players’ mindset was to blame for the defeat.

“This group, they want to do what we're trying to do, what we're working on in training,” insisted the boss during his post-match press conference.

“There are key moments in games that can tip it in your favour compared to theirs, like one bad pass, but the attitude and the desire is there. That’s not the problem, it’s the quality of our decision making and sometimes it's the execution.”

The result leaves United eighth in the Premier League table after six games, with the same number of points as top-six rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, who also lost at the weekend.

In fact, the Reds remain just three points off a Champions League spot at this early part of the campaign, and Ole was quick to highlight that there is plenty of football still to be played between now and May.

“Sometimes along the road you’ll hit some bumps, as we’ve said. Some highs and lows,” the manager explained.

“This is a good group [of players] to work with. They’re determined. They showed they wanted to get out [and play]. “It was a good atmosphere in the dressing room and they’ve got the focus right.”

Latest update on Rashford's injury

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed Marcus Rashford suffered a groin injury during Manchester United's defeat at West Ham and will have to go for a scan as the medical staff ascertain the extent of his problem.

Rashford limped off just after the hour-mark after going down unchallenged in the box. He joins Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba and Luke Shaw in the treatment room, while Mason Greenwood missed the match at the London Stadium due to tonsillitis.

When asked about Rashford on MUTV and in his press conference, Solskjaer had this to say:

"“He felt his groin. We'll do a scan tomorrow to see how badly he's injured. I don’t know how long he’ll be out, I’m not a doctor. But he'll probably be out for a little while.”"

There did appear to be some positive news with Ole adding: "“Hopefully Mason and Anthony will be back for the Arsenal game and at least one of them for Rochdale.”"

Scott McTominay: We need to do more

Scott McTominay has said he and his Manchester United team-mates must do more to win games after Sunday’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to West Ham United in the Premier League.

The Reds were downed by two left-footed strikes against the Hammers, with Andriy Yarmolenko and Aaron Cresswell netting the decisive goals for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

It was a tight game at the London Stadium and the Reds missed several chances to hit the back of the net during the afternoon. With that in mind, McTominay has said United need to find ways of grinding out victories.

“It was a tough game,” the Scotland International told MUTV after the match. “We know we all need to do more on and off the ball.

“It’s up to us now, with all the leaders in the group that we’ve got we need to bring everyone together and keep our heads. It’s not the time to back down and say ‘this is ok’. It’s not ok! We need to do more on and off and pitch.

“The manager has reiterated that, how it’s about the standards of this football club and they weren’t there today.

“It’s sickening when you come in and that’s the result,” he added. “It’s so tough to take and it’s difficult for all our fans as well who were unbelievable all game. Unfortunately we didn’t send them back with three points.”

The Reds went into the encounter in the capital without several key figures including Luke Shaw, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial, and things got worse on the hour-mark when Marcus Rashford was replaced with a groin problem.

Yet, Scott refused to blame Sunday’s defeat on the plethora of absentees currently in the United squad.

“It’s no excuse,” he said.

“We have quality all over the squad and obviously some of the main players who play every week are injured, but so be it.

‘It’s a chance for young players to come in and make their mark and in the future we have to look to them and hopefully they can get some more game time because we need them. It’s not a time to drop your head.”

While Scott said the performance against the Hammers wasn't at the level it should be, the midfielder admitted things could have been very different had certain chances gone our way.

“It’s the fine margins in a game,” he said.

“If you take your chances [things can be different] - it’s up to everybody, defenders and midfielders, obviously myself Nemanja [Matic] and the attackers to do more.

“We all have to do more, we have to contribute more to the play going forward. We had chances going forward and in football you have to take them. If you don’t, you get punished.”




Solskjaer reflects on United's missed chances

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United were left to rue missed opportunities, as the Reds endured a 2-0 defeat to West Ham United at the London Stadium.

Andriy Yarmolenko curled in the opener for the Hammers on the stroke of half-time, before Aaron Cresswell's free-kick secured all three points for the Hammers with six minutes to spare.

United had two great opportunities to draw level in the second half, as Juan Mata put the ball wide from close range, while Harry Maguire had a powerful strike parried away by Lukasz Fabianski. The Reds were dealt a further blow, as Marcus Rashford had to be withdrawn due to a groin injury.

Speaking to MUTV and in his post-match press conference, the Norwegian delivered his assessment of the match and provided an injury update ahead of another busy week of fixtures...

A FINELY-BALANCED MATCH

"“It was, as with many Premier League games, an even game that will be decided by quality at one end and today it was them with two very good goals, two great finishes, but of course we could have done better defending them and we should have, could have scored ourselves."

”When you lose a game you’re disappointed. It’s a game that could have gone both ways as you expect away from home in the Premier League."“"

AN UPDATE ON OUR FORWARDS

"“We’ve had, historically, loads of centre-backs who have struggled with injuries. We’ve come down here and Michael Carrick has played centre-back and Darren Fletcher has. At the moment it’s strikers, that’s just how it’s gone. Hopefully, Mason [Greenwood] and Anthony [Martial] will be back for Arsenal and at least one for Rochdale."

”We’ve got a scan tomorrow. He [Rashford] felt his groin, so he’ll probably be out for a little while. You never want to see players injured but that's part and parcel of the game. We've coped with that before and we're going to cope with that again."“"

TAKING OUR CHANCES

”We didn’t create enough chances, but we did create big chances that we didn’t take. They didn’t create too many either and it’s a game that could have gone both ways. When you have Marcus and Dan James I don’t think pace is the problem.

"“We had the momentum but that doesn't always give you goals and when you give fouls away just outside the box - they had one just before as well, Cresswell has got a good left foot. We felt that we should have had something from the game. We didn't and we've got to move forward.”"

A TOUGH GROUND TO VISIT

"“It's always a difficult ground to go to and we hoped to do better than we did. We hoped for better, but in the key moments they grasped it and we didn’t. They had two fantastic finishes from two left feet and we didn’t take our chances when we had them.”"

Premier League: West Ham United 2 Man. United 0

Manchester United suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to West Ham United in Sunday’s Premier League clash.

The Hammers’ goals came courtesy of Andriy Yarmolenko’s superb first-half strike and Aaron Cresswell’s outstanding free-kick in the second period, which ensured the hosts took all three points at the London Stadium.

It was a quiet opening to the encounter with the weather appearing to dampen both sides resolve, quite literally.

It took 15 minutes for the first shot of note, which came courtesy of Nemanja Matic, whose effort from around 25 yards was well held by Lukasz Fabianski.

Soon after, David De Gea held Yarmolenko’s speculative effort, before Marcus Rashford’s dangerous run was snuffed out by the Hammers’ defence.


The Reds were growing into the game and by the 20th minute were certainly the better side, yet failed to create any clear-cut chances. Andreas Pereira’s shot, which deflected well wide for a corner, proved to be one of the better chances of the opening period.

The Hammers then mounted a testing effort when Pablo Fornals found Mark Noble from a free-kick, forcing De Gea to scramble across his goal-line to make the save.

While we had started the game better, West Ham ended the first period on top and made their superiority count just a minute before half-time.

Yarmolenko picked the ball up on the right flank, and fed it to Noble as the Ukrainian continued his run into the box. The Irons skipper found Fornals, who quickly slipped the ball into Yarmolenko who took a touch to compose himself before curling a low shot past a helpless De Gea to ensure Manuel Pellegrini’s men went in one up at the break.

After just three minutes of the second half, Andreas picked the ball up on the right flank and, after darting past Cresswell, fired it across the area for the waiting Juan Mata. Sadly, our no.8 was just a few inches away from turning it home.

Moments later, Yarmolenko produced a testing effort which De Gea clutched to his body.

There was a much more open feel to things in the second half with both sides creating more shooting opportunities. Scott McTominay came close with an effort from a narrow angle and soon after the ball deflected off Sebastien Haller’s knee and went wide.

The Reds were forced into a substitution just after the hour-mark when Rashford went down with an injury and was replaced by Jesse Lingard, who assumed the role of the central striker.

West Ham continued to prove dangerous from wide areas and Felipe Anderson came close from a rare foray down the right flank. His driven strike forced De Gea into a smart save before it was hastily turned away by the United defence.

After 68 minutes Harry Maguire had a great chance to put United on level terms when the ball bounced into his path in the box from a corner, but Fabianski made a good save.

Next it was the hosts who went close, this time via Cresswell’s free-kick which went just over, yet it proved to merely be a dress rehearsal for the left-back.

In the 84th minute, following Ashley Young’s foul on Noble, Cresswell lined up another set piece, which this time nestled in the top corner of the goal to put the game out of United’s reach.

Daniel James did have a late effort which rippled the side netting, but it proved to be the last chance of note on a frustrating afternoon for the Reds.

Teams

West Ham: Fabianski; Fredericks (Zabaleta 80), Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Rice, Yarmolenko (Snodgrass 89), Noble (c), Fornals, Anderson (Wilshere 70); Haller.

Subs not used: Roberto, Balbuena, Sanchez, Ajeti.

Goalscorers: Yarmolenko (44), Cresswell (84).

United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Young (c); McTominay, Matic (Fred 71); A.Pereira, Mata (Gomes 81), James; Rashford (Lingard 61).

Subs not used: Romero, Rojo, Tuanzebe, Chong.

Attendance: 59,936

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Evra exclusive: United must get the arrogance back

Patrice Evra feels Manchester United must rediscover the fear factor after experiencing how another of his former clubs, West Ham United, approached last year’s encounter at the London Stadium.

Our reporter Mark Sullivan spoke to the Old Trafford favourite earlier this week, while the ex-France international was back taking his coaching badges at the Aon Training Complex.

Evra was shocked to find his Hammers team-mates were so confident ahead of last term’s game, which ended in a 3-1 defeat for the Reds, despite a goal for Marcus Rashford. He is determined that people’s attitude towards United will change as his one-time colleague Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes his mark.

“West Ham is a good club and I think Manuel Pellegrini is doing a great job,” he told us. “They will go for it. I remember I was still playing for West Ham and they played against United. During the week, actually all the players were so focused in training and not one of them was thinking they were going to lose against United.

“They were like we are going to beat them and win against United. I was a West Ham player but a United fan and I was a little bit hurt to say: ‘Wow, my club is getting really down’, if they don’t think even one per cent they are going to lose that game. The problem is they won that game 3-1, West Ham, so I was happy but really upset. Wow, we need to fix my club’ and it’s why we are Manchester United.

“We played against Leicester and many people said it was going to be a tough game because they’re in form but it’s what I’m talking about. Where is the respect for Manchester United? I want people to fear us again and people have to go out and play better and win the games.

”So I know it’s not easy going to West Ham, it’s a tough place, but we have to make sure, when the players step on the pitch, we are united. I want that arrogance to come back, you know. Even if it’s not easy, people have to understand we are Manchester United. So I’m upset when I hear people talking about United as if we are nothing. It’s killing me.“

Evra is convinced that things will change in this respect, particularly when United's injured players are available again for action.

“We need to win, no matter,” he declared. “Actually, I want to win games until everyone is ready as we’ve got a lot of injuries but we need to win games, no matter what. I know some people complained we didn’t play great against Leicester but we got the three points last weekend.

”It’s what we have to do. Going on that pitch, we have to get three points. Trust me, when the full squad is back, we’re going to have some better days for us.“

De Gea demands focus at West Ham

David De Gea has urged his Manchester United team-mates to be 100 per cent focused from the very first second of Sunday’s Premier League match against West Ham United.

Our Spanish goalkeeper is still frustrated by the 3-1 defeat that was suffered at the London Stadium last season and he is adamant that the Reds must make amends for that result this weekend.

The Hammers began the campaign in terrible fashion by losing 5-0 at home to Manchester City, but have improved since then and Manuel Pellegrini’s team will provide a stern test.

Fresh from signing a new long-term contract at the club, De Gea says his side must step up to the challenge of West Ham and show that wins can be claimed at traditionally difficult away grounds.

“I believe they have a decent side with some good players who are important to them,” David told us this week. “They are on the up at the moment, but we still have bad memories from last season, so we have to be much more switched on right from the off than we were then.

“There are three very important points at stake for us to remain up there near the top, and also for the younger lads to keep gaining in confidence. We also want to show that’s what we’re here for, going away to difficult grounds and going there for the three points.”

The Reds' passionate away fans will be out in force at the London Stadium and, now in his ninth season at the club, De Gea knows exactly how significant our travelling supporters are for the team.

“They are vitally important to us,” said the goalkeeper. “Our fans that follow us away from home are just incredible. Sometimes it’s just like we are playing at home in those away fixtures!

“It’s amazing… it helps us all tremendously down there on the pitch, we can always feel the warmth from our fans and that is hugely important to us.”

Of course, De Gea is expected to return to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting XI on Sunday afternoon after he was rested for the Europa League victory over Astana at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

David has kept two clean Premier League sheets this season and the Reds have the best defensive record in the division, along with Liverpool and Leicester City, with only four goals conceded.

The 27-year-old is determined to record another shutout and one of the players he may have to stop is Pablo Fornals, his international team-mate with Spain who joined West Ham in the summer.

“I know him from the national team, we’ve been called up together in the same squad once or twice,” De Gea told us. “He’s a quality player and I think he can contribute very well for West Ham. He really showed what he could do at Villarreal and he has a lot of talent and he’s a top player.”

Saturday, September 21, 2019

UTD Unscripted: Ready for the challenge

There was a moment, when the scout told me that United were interested in signing me as a kid, that I just asked myself: ‘Is this happening?’

In that instant, you’re just stuck. You’re trying to process what he’s saying to you. I hadn’t even played well in the game he’d just watched, but suddenly Manchester United were interested in having me play for them.

So, after a second, the answer came to me.

Ok, yeah, I’m ready for this challenge.

Let’s go.

So I told the scout to go and talk to my coach about it, let them sort out what had to happen and from then on, I’ve been with United and I’ve had my sights set on getting in the first team.

I think that’s what every youngster wants to do, to make their way through the ranks and get to the first team and play week in, week out. You have to believe you can do it, otherwise what are you doing it for? What’s the point if you don’t think you’re able to actually do it?

Of course, when you’re a young kid you don’t know everything, so you have to learn as you go. Since I came to United, I’ve been learning all the time.

For starters, you just look at the senior players who’ve been there before you. I think all United players should know about the club’s history, especially the youth team because it brings more hope and belief that players can make it into the first team. When you look at the Class of ’92, for example, who would have thought that eight or nine players from the same age group would get through together? It’s amazing. A lot of those guys were my idols in my younger years, then it was Ronaldo coming through. For my position I’d always be looking at Ferdinand and Vidic. I thought they were outstanding as a partnership. They always had each other’s backs, worked together brilliantly and they were great leaders as well.

Leadership is something that I admire in players. I’ve said in the past that I want to be United captain one day and I stand by that. I wouldn’t say I crave leadership, I’d say it’s just who I am. I like to make sure everyone’s ok, especially my family. I always take care of my family.

Some of my team-mates, when I was younger, if they had a problem they would come to me and ask me for some advice. I was always secretive of what they said, and I always gave them the best advice that I thought was suitable for them at the time. I’d say I probably get that from my dad. Dad’s always making sure everyone’s alright, always checking up on me and stuff, and I think that just portrays itself naturally, rather than me just going out and getting it or trying to look like a leader.

There are so many people I’ve been lucky enough to pick up advice from during my time with United. Michael Carrick, for example, has helped me a lot. He’s a top pro, he’s been there and done it, so if I can follow in his footsteps it’s not a bad way to go – I respect him a lot.

I’ve played under Nicky Butt too – another player who won everything – and it’s good to just listen to the advice he gives because he can add things to your game and how you see life as a footballer.

I’ve had coaches who had a huge impact on me, and still do to this day. Everyone I’ve learnt from still does. I still remember my training sessions from when I was 11. There are times when you realise you’re making massive improvements, and those times were when I played in the youth team and the first year in the Reserves. I was with Paul McGuinness in the youth team, and the way I started playing was different to how I played when I was younger. Much more confident, driving out with the ball and so on.

With Warren Joyce, in my first year in the Reserves, what I learnt was to be ferocious. You don’t care about who you’re up against, even in training.

This guy isn’t here to be your friend; he’s trying to take your place.

He’s not here to help you; he’s trying to score against you, so why are you going to be nice to him?

That kind of thinking brought a sort of nastiness to your game. Not in the way that you’d intentionally go out to hurt people, just to ensure your team wins. That’s the whole point, right?

You always have to concentrate on building yourself as a player. You have to focus on being the best you can be every day and not worry about your mates or other players, because a lot of people come and go. If you don’t let go of all of that and just focus on building yourself, you can go down a different pathway… one that leads right out of the door.

You keep building towards getting in the first team. Then, one day, you get to train with the senior lads and I still remember my first session with them. I was in the Under-18s and me, Marcus Rashford and Devonte Redmond all went up to watch the first team train at first, then we had a position game against them.

It was one of the hardest sessions I’ve had in my life.

It was so hard, so fast… it was physically on another level. It wasn’t like the first team went easy on us because we were younger. Never. Not for a second. It became more aggressive, if anything!

We understood, though, that it was all for our wellbeing. Making us understand what it takes and what it’s going to be like in the real world, when you go out on a Saturday at Old Trafford and you’re playing against somebody who desperately wants to beat you, so it’s always good to get that real life experience.

That day, we saw what we had to get to. It gave us a taste of it, and then we wanted more and more.

For me, it was the same story when I got my first call-up to the senior squad. We drew 0-0 at Crystal Palace and unfortunately I didn’t get off the bench, but it was such a valuable experience. Everything about it: the whole build up to the game, to see how the first team do stuff is really different; there’s a lot of professionalism. Everyone takes part in what they have to do, it’s very important, everyone’s helping each other to grind out the result. It really helped me in terms of my preparations and how I should be preparing. It’s an eye opener. If you haven’t done it before, it can help you understand what it you actually need to do to become a top player and it puts you on the right stepping stones to go about achieving that.

When I did start making senior appearances for United, in the second half of 2016/17, it was a big step. Life in the first team is hard. You have to step everything up. If you have downfalls in certain areas it can cost you in a game situation, it’s much more of a concentrated environment, you always have to be on the ball, you can’t let yourself slip.

The demands are always there, but I was fine with that. Getting into the first-team squad was massive for me and my family. I’d achieved what I set out to achieve and that put us all on a different wavelength of how we see things.

It’s like, this is real now.

That’s where the hard work really begins.

I’ll always remember Jose Mourinho giving me and Tim Fosu-Mensah extra responsibility for the final game of that season. We played Palace at Old Trafford with a lot of Academy players in the team and beforehand, the manager was putting it on me that I had to help the new lads into the game. I’d been captain of that Under-18s team for a year, so it was just another game as far as I was concerned. So I spoke to the boys and told them:

They’re just human beings. They’re nothing extraordinary, nothing out of this world. Just play your football how you normally play and concentrate on yourself rather than them.

We won 2-0.

That was a real confidence booster. When you come through the day and look back at the game, you just feel proud and it boosts you up to go on and do bigger and better things.

My aim at United has always been to get as many minutes as possible and try to take every opportunity the manager gives me with both hands. I just like to stay fairly quiet, do my job, show what I’m capable of, and let the manager know that he can trust me enough to play me in future games.

Obviously I was out on loan at Aston Villa all last season, and that was a part of my career that I won’t forget. I had some unbelievable experiences and kept on learning. Finishing the season with a trophy, having helped Villa get back into the Premier League, has given me real momentum. Now I want more chances to show what I can do at United. I want to be playing regularly for this club, and I think it’s very possible.

I think the manager believes that young players can bring United back to winning ways. To have a group of players that can embed that winning mentality into the club and then pass it on to later generations; that’s the mission. The average age of our squad is really young, but there’s a motto in one of our corridors: ‘If you’re good enough, you’re old enough’, and I think that’s been portrayed throughout the squad.

There’s a lot of competition for places, which is always healthy because it keeps everyone on their toes. Everyone brings something different to the table and we’ll need a strong squad for this season. We want to be back challenging the top four, going for trophies and whatnot, and I think we have the right mentality to achieve it. We’ve got a lot of games to come and I’m sure everyone will get their chance. There’s a good bunch of lads, everyone’s willing to help; there’s no negative energy and everyone’s just willing to work hard and help each other to reach the right levels.

As for me, we had an in-house meeting – me, the manager and the coaching staff – and we decided it’s best for me to stay at United and continue my development here, rather than go back out on loan. I’ve always wanted to play for United and, I think, especially this time around, it’s a good time to stay and fight because I think the club’s going through a phase of change and rebuilding a solid structure; the manager’s really looking to introduce new energy into the squad, he has a lot of confidence in young players, he’s shown confidence in me in pre-season and it’s the perfect opportunity for me to take. It’s comforting to know I have a role here and it’s up to me to fill the boots and show everyone what I’ve got.

Manchester’s my home, you know? Playing at Old Trafford, with my family and friends watching, that’s all you can wish for in life. Doing that regularly is my next challenge. I’ve been training my whole life for this and I’m ready for it.

So yeah, let’s go.

Team news: One out, several doubts for Reds

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Luke Shaw will miss Manchester United’s Premier League fixture with West Ham United on Sunday, while revealing three other first-team players are doubts.
Shaw has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury and the boss has admitted he will not return in time for the trip to the London Stadium.

Ole also told reporters after Thursday's FC Astana match that Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial look set to miss the encounter through respective knocks.

When asked if he thought the French duo would be available for the clash with the Hammers, Ole replied: “Not really, no. They have not been training yet.

“Luke won’t be ready,” he added.

The Norwegian also gave an update on winger Daniel James, who picked up an ankle problem in last week’s victory over Leicester City.

“I don’t know [if he'll be fit],” Ole conceded. “[He’s] not trained for the past few days. Hopefully he will, but we're not sure. We will have a recovery day tomorrow [Friday] and see on Saturday.”

James was one of nine players who started against the Foxes last weekend but were absent from the XI for the midweek Europe League victory over FC Asatana.

However, on Sunday, Ole is expected to revert to a similar side to the one which began the clash with Leicester, with Andreas Pereira and Aaron Wan-Bissaka among the players who could return.

The boss told MUTV: “Andreas and Aaron trained today [Thursday] so they should be ready and the rest of them were on the bench.”

David De Gea and Victor Lindelof - who both signed contract extensions during the week - are likely to be back in the starting XI, along with the likes of Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay.

WHAT ABOUT THE HAMMERS?

West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini is set to be without Arthur Masuaku after he was sent off during Monday’s meeting with Aston Villa.

Former Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta deputised at left-back for the final 25 minutes in the Midlands, but the Hammers could opt to start with Aaron Cresswell on Sunday.

Pellegrini may also be without Manuel Lanzini this weekend, after confirming in Friday’s pre-match press conference that the Argentinian midfielder has picked up a knock.

“Manuel Lanzini has a small problem that we will review before the game, so we must wait for tomorrow,” said the West Ham boss.

Winston Reid and Michail Antonio are long-term absentees for the hosts.


United feels like home for Lindelof

Victor Lindelof has spoken of his delight at extending his stay at Manchester United, after signing a new deal which will keep him at the club until at least June 2024.

The 25-year-old Sweden international sat down with us to reflect on his time at Old Trafford so far, while also discussing his budding partnership with Harry Maguire and his hopes for the future under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer...

Congratulations on your new contract Victor, how delighted are you to be committing your future here for the next years?
“Thank you. Of course I’m very, very happy. I’ve always felt at home at this club so I’m really happy to extend my contract.”

How do you look back on your time here so far?
“It’s been good. I think I’ve developed as a player a lot and also as a person so it’s been a good few years for me. I’ve learnt a lot and hopefully I can learn even more in the future as well.”

In what ways have you developed as a player and a person?
“I think I’ve matured a bit more in my way of playing and upped my game a little bit more. Also, the things that I’m good at I’m even better now than I was before. Then, as a person, the club have helped me a lot, as have the players, and I think I’m a better person now.”

You’re only 25 but you now have another few years ahead of you here to develop even more…
“I hope [I can develop] a lot, I want to be even better and I want to help the team win trophies and games. I want to improve and be even better than I am today, that’s my main goal, and I know I have to work very hard to achieve that. I think I’m at the right club to do that.”

Are there any particular matches you look back on as being stand-out from your time here?
“There are a lot of good games. I’ve said before every game at Old Trafford is very special. To put on the shirt and walk out there with our fans is an amazing feeling and something that you look forward to. I can’t really pick one game, it’s very difficult.”

Your one United goal was an important one and you got one for your country recently – can we expect to see some more from you over the next few years?
“I hope so! I hope I can contribute with a goal now and then. It’s always fun to score goals because I don’t do it so often anymore. I used to do it when I was younger but now I don’t score a lot but it’s always fun.”

Ole has spoken very highly of you since he joined – how important a role has he played in your deal and how excited are you to be part of his vision for the club going forward?
“He’s very important. He’s been great since he arrived at the club and I think we’re on a good path and I think the future looks good for us. We need to keep working hard and listen to all the coaching staff and hopefully we can do good things together.”

What do you hope to achieve over the next few years?
“Of course my biggest goal is to win trophies. As a player for this club it should always be your goal to win trophies, so that’s my main objective and goal. Right now we have to improve every day and you have to work hard to achieve that.”

Is lifting a trophy or two something you picture at United?
“Yes that would be amazing and, like I said, that’s why I came here in the first place, to win big things. I think we have a very good squad and hopefully I’m able to do that [win trophies] in the future.”

We’ve seen you alongside Harry Maguire so far this season in the Premier League – how promising is that partnership and how good is it to play alongside him?
“It’s been good. We’ve only had a few games together so every game we can play together it’s a good thing for us because with a partnership you need to play games to get to know each other more and more. If we can play together more and more hopefully we can become even better.”

Do you think you complement each other in terms of your styles of play?
“Yes. I think he’s a great player and we help each other a lot on the pitch. You have to do that because as centre-backs you need to know that your partner has your back and he needs to think the same from me.”

Another player who has put pen to paper is the man behind you, David De Gea. How big a deal is that for Manchester United?
“It’s a great thing. In my opinion he’s the best goalkeeper in the world so it’s a great thing to have him here at the club and it’s like security to know that he’s always behind you.”

Boss backs Rashford to find more goals

Marcus Rashford is likely to lead Manchester United’s attack again at West Ham on Sunday, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backing the England hitman to keep getting better.

The boss is not expecting Anthony Martial to be fit to face the Hammers in London after missing the last three games and another forward, Daniel James, did not train before the FC Astana game and will be assessed tomorrow.

Rashford hasn’t scored from open play since the first match of the season, the Reds' 4-0 rout of Chelsea, with his two goals since then being a penalty in the same game and another spot-kick to win last weekend's fixture against Leicester City.

The 21-year-old came close to scoring at FC Astana's expense in the Europa League but couldn’t quite find the net.

“He is getting the chances,” acknowledged Ole, after Thursday night's game at Old Trafford.

“Of course he could have had three [goals against Astana] but the keeper made a few fantastic saves. I don’t worry about that.”

Solskjaer added: “We are working every single day in training with Marcus and he wants to improve and wants to be better.

“He could have finished with his left foot instead of his right [on one occasion]. It was just one of those days. Their keeper was excellent.

“All our goals this season have come from our forwards, from Marcus, Anthony [Martial] and Dan James, so I am sure he [Marcus] will chip in with many, many goals.

“Marcus is still young. He’ll improve. You won’t hit your peak as a striker until 26 or 27. He is still learning what finishes to make in different circumstances.”

The manager said Rashford will continue to be rotated around the attacking positions in his XI.

“Today's forwards are different to the old traditional number nines,“ assessed Ole. “There are not many of them left.

“Marcus can play in all three positions, Anthony can. There are four positions in fact - right, left, up front on his own and as a number ten. Mason can [do that] too. None of them are pinpointed to one position. You will see them all rotate around.”