Unlike those who are toiling on the famous 17th hole nearby, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a picture of contentment as he takes his seat in the courtyard at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrew’s.
Decked out in a white training top, tracksuit and trainers, the Manchester United manager casts his mind back to last year’s pre-season campaign, which he diplomatically describes as “unique.”
Chaotic would perhaps be a more honest description of the events of September 2020. About four weeks after United had lost the Europa League semi-final to Seville, Solskjaer and his players had to go again.
“We had five days with everyone [before the start of the season],” Solskjaer says, raising his eyebrows. Borussia Dortmund’s stubborn refusal to sell Jadon Sancho only served to exacerbate his problems.
The picture is now far more rosy, which explains Solskjaer’s relaxed demeanour. The Norwegian signed a new three-year contract last month. His superiors have conducted their transfer business swiftly, completing the £73 million signing of Sancho shortly after the European Championship. Raphaël Varane, the £34 million Real Madrid defender, yesterday landed in Manchester, where he will undertake his medical after he has quarantined for five days.
Advertisement
“Of course I’d have liked to have had a few winners coming back from the Euros and the Copa America, but transfer-wise, we’ve done our business early and I’m very pleased with what we’ve done,” Solskjaer, 48, says.
Speak to the coaching staff at United and they will tell you that they are still probably a couple of players short, but on the whole the rebuild that Solskjaer spoke about when he became the permanent manager in March 2019 is taking shape nicely.
Solskjaer has such strength in depth that losing Marcus Rashford for two months with a shoulder injury should not be a problem. With extra reinforcements comes more pressure and expectation. United are no longer seen by the bookmakers as long shots for the title, so does Solskjaer think his team can do it?
“Of course these boys can,” he says. “We want to start winning trophies and I feel now that the foundation has been laid on the training ground, in the transfer market and with the work that the coaches and the staff have been doing with the players.
“I want us to get to April and May challenging in the league and cups. We’ve gone from third to second and a lot closer in points, we’ve gone from three semis to a final [losing in the Europa League on penalties to Villarreal in May] so it’s taking the next step now, that’s the challenge.”
Advertisement
Solskjaer is not a golf aficionado but he may have realised just how hard the 17th hole is at St Andrews given the number of chips in the brickwork of the hotel in which he has been staying since Tuesday.
The 495-yard par four is the graveyard of many golfers’ dreams of glory. Tom Watson famously blew the opportunity to win the 1984 Open Championship on the penultimate hole after finding himself up against a wall at the back of the green.
Finishing strongly is not something that worries Solskjaer in his quest for success, however. Starting strongly and maintaining that momentum is his main concern. “I read somewhere that Pep [Guardiola] said you can’t win the league in the first eight games but you can lose the chance to win it and that’s what happened to us last season,” he says. “From November 1 until the Leicester game in May, we only lost one league game. That was the consistency we want to see again.”
United have spent £108 million to bring in their two additions, but their rivals may end up spending much more. Manchester City’s expenditure will rise to more than £200 million if they bring in Harry Kane and Jack Grealish while Chelsea are willing to break the £100 million-mark to buy Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan. Solskjaer feels City are still the team to beat.
“Anyone who ends up above last year’s champions will be champions,” Solskjaer says. “It’s been City and Liverpool fighting it out for a few years. I feel us and Chelsea have spent well and we should look at ourselves as potential challengers.
Advertisement
“It feels like this is one of the strongest Premier League seasons.”
Solskjaer and his staff are doing everything they can to ensure that they hit the ground running. The facilities at St Andrew’s University are top notch and the players have been put through their paces this week in double sessions.
Should things not go United’s way this season, Solskjaer knows his position will come under scrutiny.
“You’re happy when they approach you [about a new contract],” he said. “But you have to do well enough to stay. It doesn’t matter if you have a ten-year contract or one year. If you don’t do well, off you go.”
Paul Pogba’s future remains uncertain. There is no doubt about his talent or his star quality — his name was shouted the loudest by fans who had gathered to greet the squad when they visited Forgan’s restaurant in Dundee on Wednesday. His commitment to the club, however, is in doubt. Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing the 28-year-old midfielder, who has one year left on his £309,000-per-week contract.
Advertisement
“I hope every player thinks this is the place to be to win trophies,” Solskjaer said when asked about Pogba’s future. “When you sign for Manchester United, you have to rise to the challenge. Paul has come back and he’s fresh and he’s always such a positive boy. The talks I’ve had with him have all been positive.”
Atletico Madrid’s Saúl Ñíguez and Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Rúben Neves have been mentioned as potential replacements. More outgoings will be necessary if Solskjaer is to sign Kieran Trippier. Atletico Madrid value their right back, 30, at £34 million, too high for United.
“Any [more signings] from now is a bonus,” Solskjaer said. “With the two we’ve got, we’ve strengthened where we wanted to.”
Jesse Lingard, Diogo Dalot, Phil Jones, Andreas Pereira and Axel Tuanzebe have been linked with moves away but some could stay because Solskjaer is concerned about injuries and Covid. “We need a big squad,” he said. I don’t want to be too light in any position. Bruno [Fernandes] last year for example, maybe I overplayed him but it was because he was so important for us.”
United’s friendly against Preston North End was called off last week after nine players and staff tested positive for Covid-19. Solskjaer said it was a reminder for his players to remain vigilant. “Footballers have been privileged because when the world has been closed we’ve been able to play football,” he said.
Advertisement
“Now the rest of it has opened but we have to be really careful because if they spend too long in a place then they might catch something.”
