Solskjaer: We're working on loan deals
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects more young players to leave Manchester United on loan before the transfer window ends, but not before they've played a crucial part in the club's pre-season.
With COVID-19 restrictions still in play across the international scene, United are set to stay in the United Kingdom prior to the start of our Premier League campaign on 14 August.
And with many leading players not due to return for several weeks due to their involvement in Euro 2020 and the Copa America, Academy talent has been brought in to play a big part in the first-team squad's initial preparations for 2021/22.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explained the thinking behind our pre-season programme when he sat down for an exclusive interview with club media.
“We’ve got six weeks together before the league starts and a couple of training camps here in the UK,” said the boss.
“It’s the most sensible thing, we felt, being in and around here. You don’t get the, how do you say, aggravation of: 'Are we green, red or amber [in terms of travelling abroad]?' It’s just the way the world works at the moment.
“The young kids will definitely be part of the Derby game [Sunday 18 July, kick-off 15:00 BST] and then we’ve got another couple of games coming up and they can be part of it.”
As the intensity ramps up early next month, and more senior players begin to filter back into Carrington following their international exertions, Ole expects more Academy players to seal loan deals, as Tahith Chong (Birmingham City) did last week.
“Gradually, more and more players from the Euros will join in,” Solskjaer explained. “They’ll [the youngsters] get a taste of some football. Then roundabouts early August, some will go on loan.
“We’ve already lined up a few and some of them are still in discussions between us and the players about where is the best place to go.”
Seize the day
GalleryImpress the boss and learn from the senior pros: that's what these United youngsters are out to do.
While Ole would obviously have preferred six weeks to work with the entire first-team squad, he believes this current period is a priceless experience for some of our young pros, and one that will also bring out the best in the senior players they are working with.
“Pre-season is always a fresh start, a new start with new opportunities to look forward to the season,” enthused the boss.
“Some of the players have just started their holiday, so we know it’s a depleted squad, but it gives the young kids a taste of what it is like to have a proper pre-season with top professionals like Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata in the first team, Lee Grant, Tom Heaton is back. They’ve done it so many times. Mason [Greenwood], Aaron [Wan-Bissaka], Axel [Tuanzebe] are first-team players who will bring these boys along and it’s a good opportunity for them.”