Solskjaer explains Ivorian decision

The boss appreciates how it is a dream for any young athlete to participate in the Games and not only does he acknowledge it will act as the Ivory Coast pair's pre-season campaign, but he has also challenged them to bring back a medal to show off at Carrington!

Bailly has been selected as an over-aged player for the tournament as a centre-back with great experience, while Amad has already made a splash for his country, scoring his first international goal with a dramatic injury-time free-kick against Burkina Faso recently.

“I think everyone, when they grow up, watches the Olympics and can see Usain Bolt or Ryan Giggs. I saw him play in the Olympics [for Great Britain in 2012]!” Ole told us. “When your country calls you up, I think I can’t stand in the way of that boyhood dream being fulfilled.

“Of course, Eric is over-age but I think they can see the value of him and that’s why they brought him in.

“Amad is a young, exciting prospect. It’ll be good to see them. It’ll be their pre-season but they’ve got to come back with a medal. We need a nice feel about the place when they come back!”

Amad spoke to us recently about how Bailly helps look after him on international duty, as the defender has been a big influence on his fellow countryman.

“Eric has been like an older brother to me since I arrived in Manchester, but not just Eric, Paul [Pogba] as well,” the 19-year-old said. “In fact, everyone, but I am closer to Eric and Paul because they speak French and help me with what I need to do both on and off the pitch.

“And I go with Eric to the national team games, although I did not know him before I came here. But since I have met him, he is a really calm person, he always gives me advice. I think that someone like him is really important for my development as a player.”

Ivory Coast begin their Olympics campaign against Saudi Arabia on 22 July in Japan. Three days later, they face Brazil before finishing their Group D schedule with a clash with Germany on 28 July.

The top two sides progress to the quarter-finals, with the gold-medal final taking place in Yokohama on 7 August.