MIKE PHELAN is adamant Manchester United are still in the market for “superstar” signings despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s youth influx.
Home-grown talents such as Axel Tuanzebe, Scott McTominay and Mason Greenwood are all getting plenty of action under the Norwegian at Old Trafford.
Man Utd No.2 Mike Phelan says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still interested in signing ‘superstars’Credit: Getty Images
However, United have also been linked with huge moves for Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and RB Salzburg’s Erling Haaland.
And Solskjaer’s No.2 has assured the Stretford End that the fallen giants are still interested in marquee players even though they want to bring through more young talents.
At the premiere of new feature documentary, BUSBY, the 57-year-old told Standard Sport: “I think there has got to be a blend.
“I think Manchester United still do want superstars, but I think they still want to see them coming through and progressing and being part of something special.
“The fans are changing all the time. We’ve got senior fans, old age pensioners, young fans, but it’s become far more global than it’s ever been and I think all those people understand what Manchester United is all about otherwise they wouldn’t support them.
“They don’t just support them for the superstars, they support them because they can embrace the whole tradition of the football club.”
United allowed a number of experienced men to leave the club last summer, with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez, Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini, Antonio Valencia and Chris Smalling all departing.
That opened the door for a number of academy graduates, however, their inexperience has played a part in the Red Devils recording just four wins from their opening 14 Premier League matches.
But Phelan still believes it is the right approach: “I think the present crop of youngsters – and there are more than what they are seeing right now – I think the academy are doing is some really good work. They are progressing some young players.
“What they’ve got in a manager in Ole is someone that will give them every opportunity to play, which is great.
“Youth is refreshing and it keeps old people like me young. I think it is really important that they give you energy, they give you a smile, they really give you a work ethic and it is a work ethic you can embrace and make even better.
“We’ve always felt very comfortable in what we are doing. You just want to see that on a football field on match day. We get bits of it.
“Now it is the continuity and the progression we need to make and we are pushing that every day. Ole is right on that as he should be.”
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the next two games give his team the chance to prove themselves
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
