Coronavirus: Football is an ‘easy target’ says Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Health secretary Matt Hancock has made clear he thinks footballers should be doing more

Tuesday 07 April 2020 11:01 EDT
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Solskjaer has defended his United record
Solskjaer has defended his United record (EPA)

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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes football is an “easy target” for criticism in times of crisis.

Sporting schedules have been ravaged by the coronavirus outbreak with attention now turning to what those within sport can to do help those key to the relief efforts.

Health secretary Matt Hancock has made clear he thinks footballers should be doing more to fund worthy needs during this unprecedented time – comments that have stuck in the craw of many.

And Solskjaer agrees indicating that such talk is unfair.

“For me football is an easy target sometimes,” Solskjaer told Sky Sports.

“For me it’s unfair to call on any individual or footballers as a group because I already know players do a great amount of work in the community, and players are doing a lot to help this situation.

“Discussions are taking place between players and clubs, what kind of contribution they’ll make. It’s not easy for anyone, and to be called out is not fair for me.”

Solskjaer added: “Mistakes are being made and have been made by loads of people and that’s how we learn as well.

“Now it’s about making better decisions, good decisions, I think we all want to help the NHS, the communities, and I think it’s important every single club do what they think is right.

“We’re all good people, and I’m sure we all want this to be over with as soon as possible. For me it’s about following the guidelines from the Government as well.”

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