Q&A: What Ole expects at Goodison
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is predicting a typically tough and tight encounter at Goodison Park on Saturday when his Manchester United side take on Everton, but the Reds' boss is expecting a strong and positive reaction from his players after two disappointing defeats in the last week.
The losses to Arsenal and Istanbul Basaksehir have made it a frustrating week, but as is always the case with the Reds there is another big game around the corner and Saturday's lunchtime trip to Merseyside now awaits.
During a pre-match chat with Mark Sullivan, Ole assessed Everton's season so far and had praise for the work Ancelotti has done with the Toffees...
Firstly Ole, can you give us an team news update ahead of the trip to Everton?
“We’ve not lost any from the Istanbul trip. We’re the same group, same squad. Alex [Telles] has started training with us which is good.”
You mentioned there was a little bit of a back problem for Victor Lindelof the other night. How is he?
“He's still got the issue that he's been struggling with so he'll have to be checked in the hotel. [It’s the] same squad as before Istanbul really.”
How good is it to have Anthony Martial back for domestic matters now?
“Yes of course. Anthony has been important for us and he scored the other night. To have him back is a boost. It was unfortunate to lose [him for] three games for such a thing.”
Ole exclusive: The boys are determined to move on
The manager insists there will be a response from his side when the Reds take on Everton in the lunchtime kick-off…
I know you’ve not had much time to work given the lateness of your arrival back from Turkey, but have you seen a bit of a reaction to that defeat on the training pitch?
“As you said we’ve not had a lot of time, but of course there is a determination about the boys and the group and we need to move on from the last two games. Football is so quickly forgotten when you do well and easily remembered when you don’t get the results that you expect so a good response is definitely going to come.”
What are your thoughts on Everton this season?
“They started really well of course. You can see Carlo [Ancelotti] has had time with his team and prepared them with a good pre-season. They’ve been positive and made some good signings and they’re making strides. We know every time we go to Goodison Park, with or without fans, it’s going to be a tough game against a physically good side and some technically very good players.”
Is it always good to lock horns with managers like Carlo Ancelotti given everything he’s achieved in the game?
“Carlo is one of those managers with great experience. He’s had a career that we admire and he’s a guy that you admire because of his personality as well. But it’s not about me or him unfortunately because if it was me and him on the pitch I think I’d have the upper hand now, I hope so anyway!”
They welcome back a couple of players in Lucas Digne and James Rodriguez who has done very well – what are you expecting from their line-up?
“You know that they’ve got good players in many positions but we’ve prepared really well. The boys have been shown what we expect from them. [We’re expecting] what you always get in the Premier League against top quality players, you need to perform, you need to turn up and for us the best response from the last couple of games is to go and try to dominate the game.”
Finally, last season we drew 1-1 with them home and away in tight games. Are you expecting similar on Saturday?
“You can get tight games but also anything can happen in the Premier League this season. Of course we hope to have a good start and build from there.”
Our 2020/21 home, away and third kits are available to buy from United Direct.