Solskjaer hopeful Gomes will stay at United
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has delivered an update on the futures of Angel Gomes and Odion Ighalo, in his first pre-match press conference since the COVID-19 lockdown.
The boss is in the midst of preparing the team for its first competitive fixture since 12 March: a Premier League match away to Tottenham Hotspur on Friday (20:15 BST).
But the Norwegian took time out to answer reporters' questions on Gomes, who is in the process of negotiating on a new contract, and Ighalo, who recently extended his stay with the club until January 2021.
"Angel is a top, top kid who we have had at the club for so may years," began Solskjaer.
"We've offered him a deal, hopefully he takes it. If not, I wish him all the best. Hopefully, from what I understand, it's not too far away, so if not we wish him all the best."
"We've offered him a deal, hopefully he takes it. If not, I wish him all the best. Hopefully, from what I understand, it's not too far away, so if not we wish him all the best."
Gomes has made six appearances this season, but has not featured since a substitute appearance during the final 10 minutes of our 4-0 win over Norwich City on 11 January.
Ighalo, meanwhile, initially signed a loan deal with United until the end of May, and was set to return to China at that point for the start of the new Chinese Super League season.
But the 31-year-old Nigerian impressed so much – scoring in each of his first three starts – that the club was impelled to ensure he could remain in Manchester until at least the close of the delayed 2019/20 campaign.
That was successfully agreed with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua and Ighalo will now stay until 30 January 2021. Solskjaer admits he is very satisfied at the outcome.
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“We're delighted Odion is staying with us,” said the manager. “We had a good convo with his club [Shanghai Greenland Shenhua] and Odion's made a great impact when he came, so that's very pleasing.
“He gives us another option up front, he is a goalscorer and what he does in and around the dressing room as well is great. I hope he's going to continue and finish off what he has started.”
Both players are in contention for involvement in United's first Premier League match since the season's enforced break, after Solskjaer revealed that Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones are the only unavailable players for the upcoming trip to north London.
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