Ole excited by how recent signings will bring balance

Friday 04 December 2020 13:45

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer feels the signings Manchester United announced before the last window have provided more balance to his squad.

Edinson Cavani has settled nicely after serving a period of quarantine, scoring three goals including the double last weekend at Southampton that helped inspire a superb comeback victory. Alex Telles has been required at left-back, with Luke Shaw out with injury, and has looked comfortable in the role, while Donny van de Beek has been patient, but is clearly finding his feet at Premier League level.

However, two youngsters also signed on deadline day - Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo. Pellistri has been on the bench but is growing accustomed to life in England with the Under-23s and could be involved again for Neil Wood's side in the Premier League 2 clash with Southampton, live on MUTV tonight (Friday, 19:00 GMT kick-off).

Amad Diallo was a lively performer in Atalanta's draw with Midtjylland.

Diallo is due to arrive from Atalanta in January, if his work permit is granted, and he had an excellent cameo appearance as a substitute for the Serie A side in their Champions League encounter with FC Midtjylland in midweek.

When the two teenagers are able to mature, Ole believes the squad picture will be looking extremely healthy, especially as he can also introduce youngsters from our own Academy.

“Last season we were the youngest team on the Premier League and we’ve been looking at ways to improve the squad, either being young talent or experienced ones, or say the likes of Bruno,” said Ole.

“The last year with the signings of Bruno, Alex [Telles], Donny [van de Beek], with Edinson being the last one to come in, I think the balance in the squad has been improved. He’s experienced. It’s just, one, his positioning, because he’s a different type of centre forward and we can play a different way.

“The other bit is his experience in world football. He has come in and shown the young lads how to live your life and how to have a long career.”

With Diallo hopefully coming over in 2021, there is excitement over what he and fellow teenager Pellistri can add to the group.

“Facundo has come in, trained with the first-team and done well," added the boss. "We felt now is the time for him to get game-time and he’s played a couple of games in the Reserves. He’s gradually settling in nicely and getting more and more used to us.

"Amad, he’s come on a few times for Atalanta lately," explained Solskjaer. "He’s a very, very exciting young boy and talent. Hopefully, we get the work permit and he’ll be with us in January.”

Atalanta's final Champions League group game is at Ajax next week - they currently sit one point above the Dutch side in second place, behind leaders Liverpool.

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