Manchester United host Arsenal at Old Trafford on Monday night and ahead of the game boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken about the players he believes will go on to have long futures at the club.
Solskjaer is under pressure to get a result against the Gunners, as they come into the match off a disappointing performance against Rochdale in the Carabao Cup.
Despite taking 31 shots at goal during the game it finished 1-1 after normal time and United needed penalties to dispatch the League One side.
United, like Arsenal, missed out on qualifying for the Champions League last season and Solskjaer was looking to overhaul his squad during the summer.
The Norwegian only managed to add three players but is hopeful the addition of centre-back Harry Maguire, from Leicester City and and right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace, will drastically reduce the 54 goals his side conceded in the league last season – which was their highest total in 40 years.
And ahead of the game against the Gunners the 46-year-old manager admitted he is delighted with both defenders, as well as Daniel James, who also joined Swansea in the summer.
“If you look at Aaron and Dan, 21-year-olds, they’re coming in and doing a good job,” Solskjaer told Sky Sports.
“We’re not expecting them to be leaders, but they’ll have longevity, and they’ll stay in the club and the team for many, many years.
“Harry is a different player; he was the one centre-back we wanted, and the one we felt was the missing jigsaw in that defence.
“He was for now and the future, because he’s only 26.
“I’m delighted with those three, both for now, and for the future.
“It’s not just signing players for the sake of it, you have to sign the right ones.”
United are currently sitting eleventh in the table after six games and will be looking to secure a good result against Arsenal in order to close the gap on the top four.
Solskjaer believes the clash will be an open game as he expects both teams will be looking to attack.
“The next game, if you win it, is the perfect game, whatever opponent you meet,” he added.
“For us, the games against Arsenal have always been great for the spectators, and for us.
“We’ve got a good record against them. For us it’s about focusing on ourselves, doing our bit, and seeing if we can solve the problems they give us.
“I think it will be an open game, two teams that want to attack, and the next game is always the perfect occasion to prove yourselves. Every game here is a game you want to win, and have to win.”
