Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sends Man Utd squad transfer warning: Complacent players never last... and I have targets
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned his Manchester United squad that he is ready to replace underperforming players with new signings this summer.
Solskjaer was handed a permanent three-year contract by United on Thursday after surpassing all expectations during his audition as caretaker manager.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino had been Ed Woodward's long-term number one choice to succeed Jose Mourinho on a full-time basis, but Solskjaer's stunning effect on the squad saw him emerge as the only viable candidate.
A remarkable run of 14 wins from 19 games has resulted in the feel-good factor returning to Old Trafford and the club back in top-four contention after being 11 points off the pace when the Portuguese was sacked 100 days ago.
Despite that run, Solskjaer now faces the challenge of ending a brief losing streak after United fell to two defeats before the international break to slip out of the Premier League top four and exit the FA Cup.
Man Utd's Transfer Window shortlist
United's summer business may well depend on whether they qualify for Champions League football, though Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Declan Rice, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kalidou Koulibaly all under consideration as summer transfer targets.
With United targeting young forwards, Alexis Sanchez faces a fight for his future at the club. Standard Sport understands that United refuse to give up on Sanchez, and will give Solskjaer more time to help the Chilean return to form and fitness rather than cut their losses.
Despite Solskjaer's reputation as one of football's good guys, the baby-faced assassin has left his squad under no illusions about what will happen to them if they rest on their laurels.
"Players who get complacent never last at this club anyway," he said at his first press conference as United's full-time manager. "Managers... I'm the same.
"I can't rest on 'Well, I've got a job'. That's not me. We're looking forward, we've got to work harder."
Speaking about United's transfer plans, Solskjaer said: "I've got some targets.
"I would want a Man United team that's one of the hardest working teams in the league, the fittest teams in the league and that will then bring results
"I think the players know my expectations on the future."
In Pictures | Solskjaer's Man Utd reign
Additional reporting by the Press Association.
