Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes transfer declaration and trophy vow

Declan Rice: Manchester United and Chelsea target profiled

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has declared his Manchester United rebuild all but complete and admitted it is time to deliver success at Old Trafford. The United manager approaches a third full season in charge confident he finally has the tools to land silverware. And while he has warned this season’s Premier League competition could be the fiercest competition in years he believes his revamped squad can land a title, a Champions League or both.

“I’d rather be an optimist and be wrong than be a pessimist and be right,” said Solskjaer when asked whether a first top flight title in nine years could land at Old Trafford.

“Of course these boys can. With a maximum effort, a maximum season and maximum sacrifice. Every day is a chance to get closer to our target, come together as a team to give yourself a chance to win every game.

“Every day is also a chance to step backwards so it’s down to us as a coaching staff but also the players to keep improving.”

Solskjaer’s optimism has never been in much doubt and it has been boosted by a successful summer landing his two major targets in Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho.

But he needs to find that third way as an optimist proved right if he is to stave off the growing pressure for tangible success.

And after being backed with £120m in this summer as well as being given a new three year deal he is under no illusions that the window for delivering is narrowing.

JUST IN: Raphael Varane ‘ready to fly to England today’

“At this club with this responsibility it’s not just clinging onto your job it’s about the responsibility that’s in my hands,” said Solskjaer.

“It doesn’t matter if you have a 10-year contract or a one year contract, if you don’t do well off you go.

“But as long as you get results and improve that’s what I felt that we’ve improved all the time. As long as you can see improvement.

“We’ve gone from third to second and a lot closer in points, we’ve gone from three semis to a final and one kick away from winning so it’s taking the next step now, that’s the challenge.”

DON’T MISS

Harry Kane ‘will end up at Man City’ as Tottenham tipped to back down
Harry Kane’s agent slammed as Tottenham star remains absent
Tottenham ‘planning Philippe Coutinho swoop’ if Harry Kane leaves

Hitting the ground running, unlike last year when they lost three of their first four home games will be key.

With a pre-season affected by late arrivals after summer internationals and an injury to Marcus Rashford which rules him out for 12 weeks that could be challenging. Varane, who has yet to complete his medical after visa issues, and Sancho have not trained with the squad either.

But Solskjaer is hoping they will be on the bench against Leeds in the season’s opener and he believes both will add another layer of steel to the dressing room this season.

“There’s so many good players out there but some of them don’t handle the pressure. Some do. Some thrive under it and enjoy it,” he said.

“Walking into the dressing room with Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, we challenged each other every day and now we’re getting more and more characters in this dressing room as well.

“They enjoy being a Man United player and you have to enjoy it, if you don’t enjoy being a Man United player, you can play somewhere mid-table.”

United face a first litmus test against Everton tomorrow in a lunchtime kick-off at Old Trafford in front of an expected 55,000 fans.

He does not need it but it serves up a sizeable reminder to Solskjaer of the appetite for success at a place starved for too long.

Source: Read Full Article