Soccer

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer promises every United player a ‘clean slate’

New interim manager wants ‘the players enjoying football’ after Mourinho's sacking

Ole Gunner Solskjaer has said every Manchester United player starts with a clean slate. Photograph: David Davies/PA Wire

Thu Dec 20 2018 - 20:08

Interim Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has promised every player he has inherited from José Mourinho a chance to prove his worth.

Solskjaer, who will be at the Old Trafford helm for the remainder of the season, told MUTV in his first interview: “Everyone in the squad knows that ‘I’ve got a chance now’ because whatever has gone, whatever has happened has happened. Now it’s just about from here.

“Everyone starts with a clean slate and we want players to perform, and we’ll give them the chance.”

The ex United striker feels he is “coming home” after taking up the reins.

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“It’s great. It feels like coming home, I have to say. It’s been a few whirlwind days, of course, it’s been very hectic, but it’s just great to see everyone again.”

Asked if he could make an impact in his time in charge, Solskjaer replied: “Well, it’s six months and I’m going to enjoy the ride. I’m back home, if you like, and it’s about seeing the players, seeing the staff. It’s about just being myself.

“I know the club is now running a process to find the next manager, so I’m just going to be myself in the meantime with Mick [Phelan] and Kieran [McKenna] and Michael [Carrick] and the rest of the staff.

“We’ll just get the players enjoying football, and I’m looking forward to seeing the supporters again.”

Solskjaer arrival comes with United preparing for four games in 11 days over the Christmas period, and he has challenged his players to show what they can do during that busy period.

He said: “You certainly get to see the players in a game, in a pressure situation, but I think the amount of games coming up is no problem because you’ve got this amazing squad of players.

“We have got 23, 24 players, they’re all quality and they’ll all get a chance now. With the amount of games coming up, they have got a chance to show that they are Manchester United players.”

The club currently sits in sixth place in the Premier League table, 19 points adrift of leaders Liverpool, and that is a situation Solskjaer hopes to address quickly.

He said: “We are in a results business and we want to win games, and that’s our job. That’s mine, Mick’s, the staff’s job to help the players do.

“We just want to see them play the football they can do.”

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