Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Manchester United are looking for ‘better players’ but has warned of the continued financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
United have been linked with a host of leading names ahead of the summer transfer window with the signing of a new centre-forward and centre-back reportedly amongst the club’s priorities, the likes of Erling Haaland and Raphael Varane amongst those regularly mentioned amongst the transfer talk.
Solskjaer, however, has warned that the pandemic and continued absence of supporters is ‘affecting everyone in football’ and says his side will have to be both ‘realistic and responsible’ when it comes to recruitment this summer.
“[The pandemic] is definitely affecting everyone in football,” he said at his pre-match press conference ahead of this evening’s clash with Crystal Palace.
“Of course the lack of income, the finances has affected everyone.
“We have to be realistic and responsible in the way we do our business both on and off the pitch. There are improvements on the training ground, stadium – we have to look at the whole picture.
“Where can we spend the money? And how much is there? It’s just the real world now. It has changed.”
Solskjaer discussed his rebuild and was asked whether the club’s financial situation will affect his plans, admitting his belief that the transfer market will be quieter than in recent years but emphasising the club have the capacity to improve in alternative ways.
“You can look at it different ways [with a] rebuild. We also have players in the academy that we now can maybe give opportunities.
“All clubs in the world are going through the same situation so it’s no different for other clubs than for us. I think there’s just going to be less and less transfers happening in the world of football with all these changes.”
Solskjaer also discussed the possibility of a new centre-forward arriving with the future of Edinson Cavani remaining uncertain, no decision yet make on whether to extend the one-year deal the veteran signed after leaving Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
Anthony Martial has also struggled to replicate his form from last season with the France international having been criticised during the current campaign, and the United boss admits his side are ‘always looking at better players’ as they bid to improve.
“We’re always looking to improve our squad, of course we are. I would never ever start to think the way you think about Edinson [Cavani] turning 35 next year because he’s just turned 34. You and I have different mentalities – that’s a completely different way of thinking.
“And I always say with Mason [Greenwood], Anthony [Martial] and Edinson, when we can really get them firing that means we’re a very good team. But we’re always looking at better players, of course we are.”
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