Ole Gunnar Solskjaer challenges Jesse Lingard to return to Manchester United ‘revitalised’ after West Ham loan

Timothy Fosu-Mensah left for Bayer Leverkusen this month and Odion Ighalo’s loan from Shanghai Shenhua ended, while Facundo Pellistri is in line for a loan switch as Solskjaer shapes his squad for the second half of the season.

Talented teenager Amad Diallo has arrived from Atalanta but will link up with United Under-23s on Saturday rather than the first-team, who travel to Arsenal looking to bounce back from the shock home loss to Sheffield United.

“Of course you analyse the games as you normally do,” Solskjaer said.

“I think a lot has been made of it, of course, because it was top against bottom but that’s the Premier League.

“I think people show a lack of respect for Sheffield United as well because they’ve been unlucky this season and this game they got what they have deserved so many times earlier.

“They’ve got players who can hurt you, an organisation that has worked for them for years with Chris (Wilder) and we disappointed, of course. A setback.

“But when you don’t hit your level in the Premier League against any opponent you’re asking for a tough game and we got one. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t work it out during the 90 minutes.”

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Solskjaer is expecting a tough game against improving Arsenal, where Eric Bailly and Anthony Martial should be involved after knocks.

The United boss has checked on the mental wellbeing of Martial and Axel Tuanzebe after they were subjected to sickening racist abuse on social media after the midweek loss to the Blades.

“It’s disgusting and the players and everyone… we’ve spoken to each other, of course, and they’re fine, to put it that way,” Solskjaer said.

“They’re not Man United fans in my head anyway when this happens. We’re all standing behind every single one of our players.”

PA

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