Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that the club’s signing of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund is being finalised and will be announced soon. The Norwegian has also told the media that Jesse Lingard factors into his plans for the new season and will be staying at the club.
Solskjaer was speaking after his side defeated Derby County 2-1 in their first pre-season fixture ahead of the upcoming campaign. Goals from Tahith Chong and Facundo Pellistri ensured the Red Devils left Pride Park with a victory under their belts.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Confirms Jadon Sancho Manchester United Arrival
Deal to be Announced in Due Course
Manchester United supporters are a little perplexed as to why their club’s long-awaited acquisition of England winger Jadon Sancho is yet to be officially announced. It was thought that the signing would be confirmed once images of next season’s kit were released to the public, with Sancho having undergone his medical on 12 July.
Solskjaer has now confirmed that the transfer will be “announced soon” once final details regarding paperwork are completed. Fabrizio Romano has since clarified that the player’s contract with the club has been signed and that an official announcement is ready.
Jesse Lingard Shows His Class
With Jadon Sancho all but confirmed as coming into the club, one player repeatedly linked with a departure is fellow England international Jesse Lingard.
Despite impressing over the course of a six-month loan spell at West Ham United in the second half of last season, the 28-year-old missed out on Gareth Southgate’s final squad for this summer’s Euro 2020.
As a result, Lingard was able to be involved in today’s friendly win over Derby and came close to getting on the scoresheet with a long-range effort that thudded off the crossbar.
Following the match, Solskjaer praised Lingard for showcasing his true capabilities while on loan with the Hammers and confirmed his intention to keep the player in his first-team squad next season.
The Red Devils boss said in his press conference: “Jesse has come back, been bright, [and] he wants to fight for his place. What he did towards the end of last season, that’s the true Jesse. We lacked maybe some options at times; Jesse is in the plans at the moment.”
Manchester United’s next pre-season fixture takes place away at Queen’s Park Rangers on 24 July.
Facundo Pellistri to Leave on Loan
Another player who impressed in the friendly win at Pride Park was young Uruguay winger Facundo Pellistri. The 19-year-old scored his side’s second goal of the game and earned plenty of plaudits for his performance in a much-changed Manchester United side.
Amid interest from a number of clubs in securing a loan deal for Pellistri, Solskjaer confirmed the intention to allow the youngster to continue his development elsewhere, telling the media: “I can see a loan deal for him. There’s been loads of interest and for his best interests a loan would be what we look for.”
In addition to Pellistri and Sancho, Ivory Coast international Amad Diallo represents another long-term solution to Manchester United’s recent troubles in filling their right-wing position.
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