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JADON SANCHO FLOUNDERS, RASHFORD UNCOMFORTABLE – OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER EXPLAINS MAN UNITED STRUGGLES

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals Jadon Sancho's difficult start at Man Utd was due to a severe ear infection that hospitalised him. The former boss also admits he doesn't know why Marcus Rashford "did not enjoy himself" at Old Trafford.

Jadon Sancho Flounders, Rashford Uncomfortable – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Explains Man United Struggles
Solskjaer Cites Bad Setting for Star Struggles - Credit: AFP

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not know why Marcus Rashford "did not enjoy himself" at Old Trafford, but he does attribute Jadon Sancho's difficulties under him at Manchester United to a bad ear.

During the majority of his tenure as United's manager, Solskjaer pushed the team to sign Sancho for £73 million from Borussia Dortmund in the summer before the Norwegian was fired. Solskjaer managed 149 games as manager from March 2019 to November 2021 before Erik ten Hag took over.

After failing to impress at United, Sancho went back to Dortmund on loan before making brief moves to Chelsea and now Aston Villa.

Additionally, Solskjaer, who was fired by Besiktas after just 29 games, has stated that he was unable to get the best out of Sancho because he was hospitalised with an ear infection shortly before coming to United.

"We wanted to take the next step — not move away from what we had, but add something different in the final third," Solskjaer stated in an interview with The Overlap.

Jadon provided us with the skill, link-up play, and small passes around the box that we were looking for in a player.

However, he was unlucky. Like everyone else, he had a vacation before joining and ended up with an ear infection.

Before he could even begin training with us, he spent the first ten days or so in the hospital and struggled greatly.

It has not actually surfaced before. Therefore, I never really had the opportunity to play with him properly because I was already leaving by the time he was getting back into form.

Rashford flourished under Unai Emery at Villa Park in the second half of the previous season, while Sancho finds it difficult to make an impression at Aston Villa. Now, the United loanee is dominating in Barcelona, scoring six goals and dishing out nine assists in just 16 games for the Catalans, who will undoubtedly exercise their option to extend his loan permanently for £30 million at the end of the current campaign.

Even if Solskjaer acknowledges that Rashford "did not enjoy himself" at United, he is unable to pinpoint a single cause.

During his appearance on Stick to Football, he stated, "Since I left, I have not spoken to Marcus. I email him occasionally, but circumstances."

"I am not sure what is going on in his life, but it is clear that he is having fun in Barcelona right now.

He did not seem to be having fun here. It is not only Man United, in my opinion; it is a problem everywhere.

"Every single pressure is unique, and when the players arrive at the office in the morning grumpy, we have no idea what is going on. It is the manager's responsibility to ask, 'What is up? I see that something is amiss.

We only want him to succeed; we have no idea what has transpired. He has that enthusiasm and is a fantastic player when he is pleased and in form.

"When I think about Erling Haaland, to put it simply, his constant energy and passion on the field is the least I can say.

However, what is it? Too many games? We are not sure, but he has struck the ideal equilibrium.

THOMAS TUCHEL AND CARLO ANCELOTTI RULE OUT MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER JOB VACANCY

Michael Carrick remains unbeaten as Man United manager! Read about his 2-0 win over City and why Tuchel and Ancelotti are ruled out.

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Manchester United’s Interim Boss Is Rewriting The Future Today

Manchester United are still searching for a new permanent manager after Ruben Amorim’s exit, even though Michael Carrick’s start as caretaker has turned some heads. Carlo Ancelotti’s already made it clear he’s not interested, and Thomas Tuchel just committed his future to England.

Carrick stepped in after Amorim got sacked last month, and so far, he’s done well. If the good results keep coming, United might offer him the job full-time, but they’re still looking at other options.

Tuchel was in the running for a while, but on Thursday, he signed a new deal with the England national team. He’s staying put until after Euro 2028.

Then there’s Ancelotti. He’s coaching Brazil now and looks set to extend his contract there soon. United reportedly had him on their list, but last year, the Italian pretty much ruled out returning to club football unless Real Madrid came calling.

Back in September 2025, Ancelotti spoke to L’Equipe about his future. He didn’t leave much room for doubt and said there’s only one European side he’d consider managing again.

“Real Madrid is the only team I will accept managing after Brazil,” Ancelotti said. So, with that and his new Brazil deal, United can cross his name off for good.

So, who takes over after this season? No one knows yet. Carrick, since stepping back in January, hasn’t lost a single match.

He kicked things off by leading United to a 2-0 win over Manchester City can’t ask for a better start. After that, they beat Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham, and then grabbed a last-minute draw against West Ham.

This unbeaten run has fans and pundits calling for Carrick to get the job permanently. After the win over Fulham, people wanted to know what he thought about his future. Carrick kept it honest: “Nothing’s changed, to be honest.

“I know what I’m here to do and what’s expected of me. We want success, and I want the club to be successful down the line—whether that’s with me or someone else.

“I can’t control what happens next. All I can do is try to make the team better and make United stronger. A handful of good results doesn’t change that. If it does, something’s off.

“You can’t just react to a few games, good or bad. It’s about building something solid.”

THE £70M HOMECOMING: WHY MAN UNITED DREAM OF RE-SIGNING SERIE A MVP SCOTT MCTOMINAY

Manchester United wants Scott McTominay back! Discover the £70m price tag and why Tottenham is eyeing Michael Carrick for manager.

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Napoli Demand €80m As United Prepare Bold Scott McTominay Transfer Offer

Manchester United want Scott McTominay back at Old Trafford, and it’s no secret what it’ll cost them. Meanwhile, Tottenham are eyeing a bold move for a new manager.

McTominay left United in August 2024, heading to Napoli for £25 million even though he’d just finished his best season yet, scoring some big goals and keeping Erik ten Hag in the job. Since then, he’s thrived in Italy. Last season, he helped Napoli win the Serie A title and even picked up the league’s MVP award. No wonder Premier League clubs are paying attention. United want him back, and they’re at the front of the queue.

The word from Italy is United “dream of a reunion. McTominay’s happy in Naples, but he’s got unfinished business at United and wants to prove his critics wrong. Napoli’s chief, Leonardo Giammarioli, admitted he’s worried about losing his star midfielder if a massive offer comes in. He even compared it to Nick Woltemade’s exit from Stuttgart.

Fraser Fletcher, our transfer guy, broke the story back in November that United and Arsenal are both looking at McTominay, and Spurs are interested too. But McTominay’s not leaving for just any club. He wants the right project. And it won’t be cheap. Napoli want at least €80m (£70m/$95m) if they’re going to let their 29-year-old star go.

For United, McTominay is one of several targets as they look to rebuild their midfield. Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, and Adam Wharton are also on the list.

Now, about Michael Carrick: United loves what he’s done as interim boss. But they’re not the only ones. Graeme Bailey says Tottenham are seriously considering Carrick for their permanent manager job. Carrick played for both United and Spurs, and Tottenham already thought about him before hiring Thomas Frank last summer. His quick adjustment to Premier League management hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Spurs have brought in Igor Tudor as interim manager, but Carrick’s in the mix to take over this summer. Of course, it depends on whether United decide to keep him themselves. Sources say United are really impressed with his style and attitude, though they’re still weighing their options.

United aren’t just busy with managers; they’re scouting too. This weekend, they’ll have people watching Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco and Juventus’ Pierre Kalulu in the Derby d’Italia. Kalulu’s been all over the pitch for Juve, playing centre-back, right-back, and wing-back. Dimarco, on the other hand, has been electric for Inter at left wing-back, with six goals and 13 assists in 31 games. Both United and Arsenal are watching closely.

Dimarco might be easier to sign than Kalulu because of his contract. Inter want to extend his deal, but for now, it runs out in June 2027. United have been dreaming about him as their new left-back.

On another note, England rugby captain Maro Itoje spoke out against Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent comments on immigration. “I disagree with the terminology and sentiments of what he said,” Itoje told the BBC. “I do not believe that immigrants have colonised Great Britain. That’s just not true, and it’s the wrong thing to say.

“I’m a proud Londoner, proud to play for and captain England. That’s one of my greatest accomplishments. But I’m also of Nigerian descent, and I’m proud of that heritage too.

“Honestly, I think Ratcliffe’s wording was clumsy, and his numbers were wrong. I saw he apologised, and I respect people who can admit when they’ve messed up and say sorry. So, credit to him for that.”

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