MX23RW : Monday, November 25 02:24:51| >> :120:19827:19827:

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pleased with Manchester United board for transfer backing

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pleased with Man United board for transfer backing
© Reuters
Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho have been added to the Old Trafford squad.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes proven winner Raphael Varane and exciting winger Jadon Sancho will make a “huge difference” for Manchester United moving forwards.

Having finished runners-up in last season’s Premier League and Europa League, the Old Trafford giants have made waves in the transfer market in a bid to bring silverware back to the club.

Sancho last week completed his £73million switch from Borussia Dortmund and United announced on Tuesday that a deal had been struck with Real Madrid for long-standing target Varane.

The France World Cup winner has agreed personal terms on a four-year deal with the option of another season, with the contract to be signed after he completes his medical following quarantine.

“Of course very happy that we’ve managed to get a deal with Real Madrid,” Solskjaer said.

“The medical should hopefully be OK and he’s a proven winner. He’s a player we’ve followed for many, many years.

“I know Sir Alex (Ferguson) was very, very close to signing him, so this time around we’ve got him at the other end of his career.

“He’s proved over his whole career what a good person he is first of all, professional and he’s won what there is to win. I’m very happy getting both our players in.

“First of all, the club shows ambition with one of the most exciting young forwards in world football and one of the most respected centre-backs in the world and one of the most winning centre-backs in the world.

“With him in of course we’ve got different ways of playing as well. I can see different ways of playing with Raphael. I can’t wait to get him in. Hopefully we can get that sorted as soon as.”

Asked about when the medical can take place with coronavirus restrictions in place, Solskjaer said: “From what I know the club is working on the quickest possible solution to get everything sorted. I don’t know the timescale on it yet, the latest.

“Of course there’s a visa coming into England now with Brexit and the quarantining, so everything has to be done as quickly as possible but by the book.”

Varane and Sancho are statement signings from the club, who have also brought back Tom Heaton and are still looking to do more business this summer.

“I think, as I’ve said before, every manager would be happy the sooner and earlier the deals are done and this year we’ve managed to get it sorted,” Solskjaer said after Wednesday’s 2-2 friendly draw against Brentford in front of 30,000 fans at Old Trafford.

Harry Maguire
England’s Harry Maguire will look to form a partnership with Varane at Old Trafford (Nick Potts/PA)

“I think the two we’ve got in will make a huge difference for us, both this season short-term but also long-term.

“Raphael is into his prime as a centre-back. He’s the same age as Harry (Maguire), a year older than Eric (Bailly) and a couple years older than Victor (Lindelof) so there I’ve got a fantastic group of centre-backs.

“With Jadon as well, with the young forwards we’ve got it’s exciting. As a manager you can’t ask for more backing when you’ve got these two in as early as we have.

“We’ve scrambled before towards the end of the window and now I think, I have to say, we’re in a good position. Pre-season is always difficult, though, in a championship year, never mind in the pandemic with the quarantining and isolation.

“You can see the team tonight, there’s loads of youngsters still. Everyone who has worked pre-season has done well and now they’re coming in drips and drabs.

“We haven’t got time to play catch-up so the others turning up late and don’t get a proper pre-season or are not fit when they come in, they might struggle to get into the team because today was a very good performance.”

ID:457247:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6913:

Click here for more stories about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!