Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken to Anthony Martial after racist abuse

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praises ‘mentally strong’ Anthony Martial and reveals Manchester United striker is ‘not checking’ any social media accounts after he was subjected to ‘disgusting’ racist abuse after West Brom draw

  • Man United striker Anthony Martial was again racially abused on social media
  • He was targeted after United’s 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday
  • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed he has spoken to the striker about the abuse
  • United boss said Martial was ‘mentally strong’ and is staying off social media
  • Martial needs a late fitness check ahead of Thursday’s Real Sociedad match
  • United have called youngsters Amad Diallo and Shola Shoretire into the squad 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken to Anthony Martial about the ‘disgusting’ racist abuse aimed at the Manchester United striker.

Solskjaer held talks with the Frenchman at Carrington on Wednesday morning before the squad flew to Turin for their Europa League first-leg tie against Real Sociedad.

Martial, who faces a late fitness test before the last 32 clash, has been targeted on several occasions recently including after Sunday’s draw at West Bromwich Albion.

Manchester United striker Anthony Martial was racially abused on social media again after Sunday’s 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he had spoken to Martial after the ‘disgusting’ abuse he received at the weekend and believes the striker is ‘mentally strong’

Solskjaer said: ‘I spoke to Anthony this morning. He’s mentally strong but it’s not something anyone should have to go through. He’s not checking all the Instagram or whatever or social media.

‘It’s disgusting. We’ve been talking about this every press conference for the last three or four weeks. It used to be sporadic but now it’s every single one, so there’s something we have to do about it.’

Solskjaer confirmed that Scott McTominay is another injury doubt, while Edinson Cavani and Donny van de Beek will stay in Manchester to have treatment on muscle injuries, while Paul Pogba will definitely be out for at least another two weeks.

Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek won’t be travelling to Turin after picking up an injury

Striker Edinson Cavani also has a muscle injury and won’t be making the trip to Italy

Man United squad for Real Sociedad match 

De Gea, Henderson, Grant, Bailly, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Telles, Tuanzebe, Wan-Bissaka, Williams, Diallo, Fernandes, Fred, James, Mata, Matic, McTominay, Shoretire, Greenwood, Martial, Rashford 

‘Paul is recovering well,’ added the United boss. ‘He is starting the treatment and will still be a few weeks, so he won’t be playing in February that’s for sure. It will still a few weeks until we see Paul definitely.

‘We have a couple of doubtful ones if they will be fit enough. Anthony and Scott we will have to check them tomorrow. Donny and Edinson are definitely not travelling.’

New signing Amad Diallo and young striker Shola Shoretire, who recently signed his professional contract at United, are both travelling as Solskjaer continues the club’s tradition of promoting young talent.

‘We give them a chance to come to Man United and have a successful career,’ he added. ‘As a club we have proven over the years that’s something we take seriously and we’re good at. We like to give chances to players to develop and find their talent.

‘Our history has always been about skilful players, attacking players that you play with no fear and these are players we have identified to carry that tradition.

‘My role is to speak to them and put a clear pathway for them to see this is what we need. I think we’ve shown over the years of course with previous managers, Sir Alex was the best, we’ve produced some of the best players in the world.


Manchester United have includes youngsters Amad Diallo (left) and Shola Shoretire (right) in their squad heading to Turin to take on Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League

Shola Shoretire (left) is highly-rated at Manchester United and has just signed his first contract

‘Wayne Rooney was young, Cristiano Ronaldo was young, we’ve developed Giggs, Beckham and that group ourselves. We’ve still got Rashford, Mason (Greenwood) coming through.

‘All these experiences help for me as a manager when I want to convince these players that here is the future for you and I like to give them a chance of course.

‘When you look at my career as a coach that’s one of the biggest enjoyments you can have seeing a player as a young lad and then seeing him successful at the highest level.’




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