Key Manchester United duo looking at bench role for Leeds United clash as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer delivers fitness update

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has delivered a fitness update about some of his star men ahead of Manchester United's season opener against Leeds United.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Marcelo Bielsa's Whites will begin their second season back in the Premier League with a clash against their arch rivals at Old Trafford next Saturday lunchtime.

The Red Devils will take in their final pre-season friendly against Everton tomorrow and Solskjaer has revealed that key duo Jadon Sancho and Edinson Cavani are yet to train.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Hopefully they’ll be fit when they come back in with us,” said Red Devils boss Solskjaer, speaking to manutd.com“They’re due to come in after the weekend.

UPDATE: From Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images.UPDATE: From Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images.
UPDATE: From Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images.

"There are different circumstances as to why they haven’t joined us yet, but it’s a long season and they had to have a little more time off.”

Asked about Sancho and also Raphael Varane, Solskjaer said as quoted by the MEN: "They (Sancho and Varane) still haven’t trained with us and I need to see how they are.

"I can’t see them being available for Everton but hopefully they will be ready to be on the bench (against Leeds).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We’ve not got everyone back yet and we’re still lacking a few. Every year that there’s a championship it’s difficult. Luke (Shaw), Harry (Maguire), Fred - a few - will only have the Everton game to prepare.

"It’s still not perfect because I think teams with fewer players in tournaments do have an advantage early on but we’re as ready as we can be.

"Fred played nine games over the summer and he’s had three weeks away from us and then two weeks to get ready again, so they should be ready."

Eric Bailly and Amad are also absent having represented the Ivory Coast at the Olympics.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Solskjaer said: "Yes of course when you go into these tournaments during pre-season it’s always difficult.

“I don’t know exactly the day they’ll be back with us after the quarantine, but they’ll be ready and better off for playing these games.”

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.