Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Manchester City, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted doing transfer business in January is “very hard”.
What did he say?
The Red Devils have been linked with a whole host of players in this January transfer window, with Sporting CP midfielder Bruno Fernandes in particular, being the source of constant speculation over a potential move to United.
But with only days left until the end of the window, and the Manchester side having yet to make a single signing, Solskjaer has admitted that doing deals this month is “very hard”.
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He said (as quoted by Sky Sports): “I haven’t got any updates for you on transfers. I haven’t got anything to say now. If there is something out there, then the club are pursuing that and looking at it. It is difficult this window – it’s always been. I can’t remember how many good deals that we’ve brought in in January.
“Henrik (Larsson)… Nemanja (Vidic) and Patrice (Evra) – they were two good ones. It’s hard, it’s very hard because the clubs don’t want to lose their best players.”
Following Solskjaer’s press conference, reports have claimed the Red Devils are edging closer to finally sealing a swoop for Fernandes after agreeing a fee with Sporting, although it remains to be seen whether the club will conduct any further business after that.
Risking a fall-out with the fans
Whilst Solskjaer’s verdict on why January is a difficult moment to get deals done is fairly accurate, it risks causing a major fall-out with the United fan-base. The fact the Red Devils could have only made three permanent signings across the space of three transfer windows by the end of this week is a damning indictment on the lack of decisive management at the top level.
The Red Devils were in desperate need of some attacking reinforcements even before injuries to the likes of Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford. United currently lie six points off the top four in the Premier League, whilst Romelu Lukaku’s departure last summer has meant 18-year-old Mason Greenwood is their third-choice option up front.
Recent weeks have seen supporters of the Manchester side voice their ire and frustrations with the club’s board during matches – the FA Cup game against Tranmere last Sunday encapsulated that in a nutshell. So Solskjaer’s admission that January is a struggle for transfers is unlikely to go down too well.
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And even following reports the club had finally agreed a fee to sign Fernandes, things in Manchester appear to have turned very unsavoury, with footage emerging of a group of so-called United fans attacking the home of Ed Woodward on Tuesday night. It encapsulates the very volatile nature the club currently finds itself in, and how some ‘supporters’ are letting their anger at the board spill over.
And so whilst United may be nearing their first signing of the January window, Solskjaer’s honest, yet unambitious comments of how “hard” it is do business this month, just isn’t the right approach to take.
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