Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has taken a sly dig at Manchester United’s lack of transfer activity this summer by stressing the importance of signing players in time for pre-season.
The Red Devils are currently on the first leg of their summer tour which will incorporate matches against Perth Glory, Tottenham and Inter Milan in Australia, China and Singapore.
The Norwegian identified transfer targets well before the campaign finished last season and wanted the bulk of his deals completed in time for new players to embed themselves during the pre-season tour.
However, though United have made two signings, it’s arguable that only Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been signed as an expected starter.
Solskjaer remains keen to sign a centre-back and at least one midfielder, while a forward will be required should Romelu Lukaku get his wish of joining Inter Milan.
The 46-year-old has stressed the importance of pre-season this summer because he was unhappy with the fitness levels of the squad he inherited from Jose Mourinho.
And, in praising Wan-Bissaka’s decision to cut short his holiday to join the tour, Solskjaer took a thinly-veiled dig at United’s board by talking up the importance of having new signings on tour.
‘He [Wan-Bissaka] wanted to be part of this tour and I think it is important that you are part of a new team,’ said Solskjaer.
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‘When you travel away like this, they are with each other all of the time and it is a big team bonding period.’
Solskjaer has been putting the squad through double sessions in Western Australia.
Reports last week claimed a string of foreign players at Old Trafford were openly questioning Solskjaer’s training methods but the former Molde boss has backed the significance he’s placed on fitness.
‘They should feel tired, they should feel that they are gaining something from it,’ said Solskjaer.
‘We are building fitness, robustness, mental robustness and it has been very encouraging’.
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