Ole Gunnar Solskjaer facing defensive decisions as he admits Manchester United squad needs trimming
The Manchester United manager addresses questions on the future of his players, including defender Victor Lindelof Credit: Rex
James Ducker, Northern Football Correspondent, Perth
16 July 2019 • 7:41am
James Ducker
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted he will have to trim his Manchester United squad as he continues to target new signings.
United have brought six centre-halves on tour with them at a time when they are pursuing a deal with Leicester City for England defender Harry Maguire.
Victor Lindelof has been linked with a move to Barcelona but the Swede has distanced himself from claims by his agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, about a potential move by insisting he is "very happy" at Old Trafford.
United will not entertain Lindelof's departure but it remains to be seen what happens with Marcos Rojo, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Axel Tuanzebe.
Solskjaer will listen to offers for Rojo, Bailly has been linked with a move away and Jones - who signed a new four-and-a-half year contract in February - has been touted as a potential makeweight in a deal for Maguire.
Manchester United players continue to be put through their paces Down Under Credit: Getty Images
Tuanzebe spent last season on loan at Aston Villa but will be given a chance to prove his worth on tour, even though the Midlands club are eager to take him on loan again next season in the Premier League.
"Yeah, of course, there's a limit of players," Solskjaer said when asked about his stockpile of centre halves ahead of Wednesday's game against Leeds United at the Optus Stadium. "Whoever performs will be part of the team and whoever doesn't they have got to fight to get back in. There's been loads of speculation but we'll work to find a relationship with the ones we've got.
"Axel has got a great chance of staying here and playing. He had a great season last year. It was a stop-start season with injuries but he's really proven he can play at that level, he got promoted with Villa and he's come strong. Focused. He did well in the first game here [against Perth Glory on Saturday] and he's one of the exciting players that I can't wait to see more of."
Lindelof insisted he was happy at United as he played down talk of an exit, despite Cetinkaya saying: "Lindelof is in the orbit of a great European club but leaving United depends on the English club.
"I'm very happy to be a Manchester United player and I'm really looking forward to this season starting," the United defender said. "I'm very happy here."
Solskjaer - who said Matteo Darmian, Fred and goalkeeper Dean Henderson would join the tour in Singapore - is convinced everyone who starts the season with United will be totally committed to the club as uncertainty continues to surround the futures of Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku.
Aston Villa are said to be keen to take Axel Tuanzebe back on loan again Credit: Rex
"The day we start the league I'm sure everyone who's here will give absolutely everything for Manchester United," he said. "We want a strong team with players who give everything. There are always rumours, speculation about Man United players but when the league starts we batten down the hatches and stay as a team."
David De Geais set to end the uncertainty about his future by signing a new long-term contract once United have returned to Manchester. Solskjaer is optimistic there will be positive news to announce soon. "He'll play tomorrow [against Leeds] and hopefully we can agree with David. As I've said a few times, that will be up to David and the club to announce if that happens as and when."
Local organisers have beefed up security at the Optus amid fears about the threat of trouble between rival Manchester United and Leeds United fans but Solskjaer is confident the game will pass off without incident. "I wouldn't think so, no," Solskjaer said when asked about the prospect of trouble. "If you make the effort to come across here and watch your favourite team, football is the reason you're here, to support your own team."
Solskjaer also harbours no concerns about the state of the Optus pitch, despite the coach of the West Coast Eagles Aussie Rules Football team complaining about the hardness of the turf. Adam Simpson has lost one of his star players, Nic Naitanui, for up to 16 weeks with an ankle injury suffered during Friday's game against Collingwood, a week after another player, Liam Duggan, to syndesmosis.
United experienced no problems against Perth Glory at the Optus on Saturday and hopes that will be the same against Leeds. "The lads didn't mention anything - some slipped a couple of times but I don't there there's any concern, no," Solskjaer said.