Solskjaer ‘impressed’ and leaves door ajar for jettisoned Man Utd pair

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer TEAMtalk

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reportedly left the door open for Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling to fight their way into his squad this season.

The two central defenders are on a list of players that Manchester United would ideally sell this summer, but the prospect of that, and especially in the case of Rojo, looks unlikely.

ESPN claim the pair, along with Sergio Romero, Phil Jones and Andreas Pereira are up for sale at Old Trafford, but interested parties have been put off by their high wages.

Smalling looks to be the closest to an exit with Roma desperate to turn his loan into a permanent switch. So far though the Serie A side have been unable to agree a fee with Ed Woodward and Co.

For Rojo though, the situation looks far bleaker, although the report claims the Argentinian has “been told there is a chance to secure a spot in Solskjaer’s squad”.

Solskjaer’s hunt for a left-footed centre-back continues and the boss has been “impressed” with Rojo, who has been undertaking double training sessions every day since returning to Manchester from Argentina.

 

 

Rojo spent the second half of last season back where his career began at Estudiantes.

He moved back to Argentina in the winter window on a loan deal until the end of June, but the 30-year-old did not feature as much as the La Plata club would have liked.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, Lazio have identified Rojo as a player who can solve their issues in defence. However, United still await an offer for the defender, who signed for United in 2014 from Sporting.

It appears a long shot that Rojo can resurrect his career at Old Trafford, but with suitors few and far between and United’s priority before the October 5 transfer deadline to sign Jadon Sancho, then he may just force his way back into contention.

More ‘respectful’ Sancho talks

Meanwhile, Solskjaer is still in the hunt for Sancho, with Bleacher Report claiming last week that United and Dortmund had agreed “to go about negotiations in a more respectful manner”.

United officials felt there was too much information being leaked to the media and so that is why the Sancho talk has gone quiet in recent weeks.

Dortmund are believed to be holding out for a fee of £108m, but the report claims “two of the big sticking points have been wage demands and agent fees”.

But from now on do not expect as much detailed information on the deal with Dortmund agreeing to keep things in house.

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