Solskjaer blocked two Man Utd exits on transfer deadline day

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer TEAMtalk

Manchester United turned down loan enquiries for Chris Smalling and Phil Jones on deadline day, claims a report.

ESPN suggest that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blocked potential exits for the two centre-backs earlier this month, but the club are understood to be still listening to offers for Marcos Rojo.

The Argentina international saw a move to Everton collapse on deadline day but Fenerbahce and AC Milan are just two of the club still interested in the player, who has not long-term future at Old Trafford.

United are keen for Rojo to be loaned out, before the Sept 2 deadline, with an obligation to buy.

Jones, Smalling and Rojo were conspicuous by their absence from the squad to face Wolves tonight, with the United manager conceding they are overstocked.

“That will be for us to work out, and of course I do have too many centre-backs to keep everyone happy,” Solskjaer said.

“But we need to win games, we need to perform, so we’re going to pick the players that will give us the biggest chance to win games. They’re all quality centre-backs and I know that we will need quite a few of them.

“Of course, Eric’s injury means that at the moment I’ve got six fit ones, which is maybe one too many to keep everyone involved.

“But then that’s our jobs, to make the most of what we have now, and for them as well to make sure every day in training.

“And when they get the chance, because they will – we’ve got loads of games, play well when you get it. All of these, Marcos, Phil, Chris… they’ve been here for a long time and they’ve proven that they can do it.”