Manchester United transfer news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ready to be 'ruthless' with summer sales
United’s form under Solskjaer has nose-dived of late, with four defeats in their last five
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Your support makes all the difference.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned his Manchester United players that he is ready to make tough decisions about his squad and not afraid to be ruthless.
United’s form under Solskjaer has nose-dived of late, with four defeats in their last five, including Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final reverse against Barcelona.
The scale of the task at hand may only now be clear to Solskjaer, who had previously resurrected United’s campaign, presiding over 14 wins in his first 17 games.
The United manager confirmed for the first time on Friday that, as expected, club captain Antonio Valencia would be leaving upon the expiration of his contract this summer.
Ander Herrera, meanwhile, is expected to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, despite Solskjaer’s claim that talks between United and the midfielder are ‘ongoing’.
United typically look to make a few, significant changes to their squad during the summer market, though the club is expected to be busier than usual this year.
“It's going to be survival of the fittest or survival of the best,” Solskjaer said on Friday, ahead of West Ham’s visit to Old Trafford. “That's how ruthless we have to be.
“We need players here who are going to be able to take us forward. That means culture in the dressing room, what we do every single day here to make us challenge again.
“Liverpool and City are too far head at the moment for what we like. We played against a Barcelona team that sets the standard in European football.
“We're under no illusion it’s going to be hard work and there will be some tough decisions made by me, Mick and the club.”
The likes of Matteo Darmian and Marcos Rojo could join Valencia and Herrera in making way this summer, though may not be the only ones to depart.
United’s highest-earner Alexis Sanchez has done little to justify his salary since joining from Arsenal last year and the club could be tempted to cut their losses.
“We have a certain standard here,” Solskjaer said on Friday. “We got a great boost, now [it's] more challenging times with the results and performances.
“You want to see players step up and say now: 'I want to be part of this'. You saw Fred and Scott [McTominay] the other day took the mantle up.
“That's what we expect from all the players. When you win 5-0, or when you're 3-0 up, or when you win five games on the bounce it's easy. It's easy to be a footballer.
“But it's not always easy to be a footballer. You get through tougher times. You'll lose games and your character is revealed.”
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