MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, Jan 11, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Paul Pogba will be fit
to return from injury for Manchester United’s Premier League match at
Tottenham this weekend, interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on
Thursday.
The France midfielder linked up late with his team-mates for a warm weather
training camp in Dubai this week after being injured in a challenge by Jonjo
Shelvey during the 2-0 victory at Newcastle on January 2.
Pogba missed last Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup victory over Reading as a result of
the knock, but trained well in the United Arab Emirates, according to
Solskjaer.
“He looked OK towards the end, so he will be fit. He did have some problems
but he came through last couple of sessions well, so he should be OK,” the
Norwegian said.
Solskjaer has made a perfect start as United’s coach since replacing the
sacked Jose Mourinho on December 19, winning each of his first five matches
in charge.
The former United striker, who is on loan from Norwegian club Molde until
the end of the season, has made clear since his return to Old Trafford he
would love the manager’s job on a permanent basis.
However, his opponent on Sunday, Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino,
is believed by many observers to be the likeliest person to get the United
job.
Solskjaer praised the Argentinian and justified the reports.
“He has done a very good job. That speculation is there for a reason —
because he has done well — but it’s not my job to rate managers. My focus is
on me and my team.”
– Tottenham test –
The interim boss, though, has rejected the idea that this match represents
his first serious challenge in charge of United, following wins over Cardiff,
Huddersfield, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Reading.
“We’ve had tests. Newcastle away is a test and the first game was a test as
to how everyone reacted. The first home game with the crowd is a test,” he
said.
“We are not going to get as many chances to attack against these as we had
before so when we have the ball we have to be ready to play well with it and
we have to use the whole pitch because Wembley is a decent size pitch as
well,” he added.
One of United’s biggest test will be containing the threat of Tottenham
striker Harry Kane, the joint-leading scorer in this season’s Premier League,
with 14 goals.
“He’s not bad is he? He is a fantastic goal scorer and one of the best in
the world, but I have got a couple that I’m happy to work with,” Solskjaer
said
“He is a top professional. Sure, whoever plays with him and trains with him
can talk more about him, but from the outside he is a fantastic finisher,”
the 1999 treble winner said.
Solskjaer, meanwhile, revealed defender Marcos Rojo has returned to his
native Argentina as he continues to recover from a leg injury that has kept
him out for a month.
“He has gone back to Argentina for a while because of his injury. How long
will he be out for? How long is a piece of rope? For him it was mentally
important to go away and come back fresh again.”