Solskjaer reveals January signing hope and gives stance on Pogba's future

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he hopes Manchester United can do some business in the January transfer window.

The United boss requires significant investment if he is to build a squad capable of competing at Old Trafford, and his rebuild should continue to take shape in January after three new signings were brought in this summer.

Solskjaer was left light in midfield and attacking options after Ander Herrera and Alexis Sanchez were sold this summer.

United need to sign a striker this winter to provide Solskjaer with a plan B option and to provide competition to Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford in attack.

The Reds have also had the reoccurring problem of struggling to break down deep-lying defences and are far more effective on the counter-attack. Solskjaer should prioritise signing an attacking midfielder such in the mould of James Maddison to unlock defences that are organised and stubborn.

“Yeah, as a manager you always hope that you can do something but then again it’s not something that’s nailed on,” Solskjaer said when asked about January transfers, as quoted by Manchester Evening News.

“It has to be the right player. Right age, gonna fit into this squad and for the right value. We’re always looking and the transfer window is open but it might not happen.”

Solskjaer also reiterated that star midfielder Paul Pogba will not be allowed to leave the club in January. The Frenchman has not played for the Reds since sustaining an ankle injury in the draw against Arsenal on September 30.

“It was something that really needed sorting but I don’t think I should give you all the medical information but he’s now feeling good and getting better, it’s worked. He’s not getting sold in January.

When he comes back play well, with a smile on his face and do what he did a year ago when I came here, Paul has been fantastic when he’s played for us and we’ve got one of the best players in the world, when he plays, gets fit, needs time to get fit, of course.

“I’m not gonna push him, of course. What he feels, his ankle, we need him to be 100% fit. I can’t risk any setbacks on injury.

“There are all these hypotheticals, I’ve just answered: he’s not gonna go.”

It seems unlikely Pogba will be match fit and available to face Watford at Vicarage Road on Sunday but he may return at home to Newcastle on Boxing Day or in the away game against Burnley just two days later.