Two good wins. The landscape has changed and I guess everyone is happy, aren’t they?
““Of course if affects the mood when you get results. But it’s still windy and cold out there, the landscape doesn’t change that much! It’s on to the next one.””
You suggested on Friday that Paul Pogba would be training and would be on the grass. Is there any chance of him playing against Alkmaar?
““No. It’s too early yet.””
And in terms of a prognosis of how long that might take - are you still talking about 2019?
““Yeah, we hope so. He’s working hard to get fit and hopefully we can get him back on the pitch.””
How much difference has the last two games made in terms of people inside the club, and outside, having more conviction about what you’re trying to do? ““Inside, we’ve always had belief that what we’re doing is the right thing. So, it might change the perception on the outside, but then results, you can’t control that. Of course, it could have been two draws, it could have been 4-0 wins. That’s just the nature of football. Sometimes you’ve got the margins on your side. I think the decision we made by sending a young team to Kazakhstan to play Astana made the players that stayed here have more energy and be really ready for this week because it was a hard week.””
Is there more conviction when you say you’re going down the right path after you’ve beaten Tottenham and Manchester City than when you’re losing against Bournemouth or Newcastle?
““Yeah, of course. Results are always the proof in the end, but inside we’ve always believed in what we’re doing. Yeah, there are going to be ups and downs - we’ve said that as well, but we are on the right track. I see these boys every single day in training and their attitude and skills and the quality they’ve got. So, I’ve not been that worried.””
In terms of this competition are you bothered whether you win the group or not? ““Of course I’m bothered because I’m not going to send these boys out and say ‘I don’t care if you win or lose’. Every time you play for Man United is a game that you have a chance to prove to yourself, and to your team-mates and to me and the supporters, that you deserve to be part of this team for a long time.””
Ole, I just wondered where the last week ranks in your personally football career. How good has it been?
““You don’t get too much time to think about that because there’s a game again. I don’t rank weeks, I don’t look at it that way, I just look forward.””
In terms of the record against the ‘top six’ and then the results against Bournemouth and Newcastle - what did you put that down to? ““Because the results have been very different… We played well.””
Why? ““We played well and we have good players. Of course, there are different teams and every opposition gives you different problems and you’ve got to solve those problems and create problems for them. That’s just football.””
Just in terms of other injury news. Is there any update on Nemanja Matic? Is he going to be fit soon?
““Yeah, he’s fit and is due to be involved.””
Diogo Dalot? ““He’s just had one day of training so it’s too early for Diogo.””
I know we keep going on about Paul and him coming back. But the way your midfield has been playing, Fred has got much better, it’s not automatic that he goes straight back into the team…
““Let’s get Paul fit first and back in form, then Paul will play loads of games. For me, he’s one of the best players in the world and we’re looking forward to having him back.””
You’re back in sight of the top four after the two wins, but how important is it to keep the Europa League campaign going, in terms of winning a trophy and then an avenue to the Champions League as well? ““You can ask Sergio as well because we won this trophy a few years ago and it’s a great tournament. For me, I’ve enjoyed it with Molde and I’m enjoying it now, and, of course, we’re hoping to go all the way.””
We saw a special moment between you and Sir Alex on Saturday. What was the verdict from him. It’s a long time since we’ve seen him that happy at game. Did he recognise himself in what he saw? ““He’s Man United through and through. Of course, you’re happy when you beat your local rivals but for us, it’s important that we go onto the next one and keep on winning. He might have had a glass of red win, I don’t know, I didn’t see him after the game. I saw him in the dressing room, but you’ll have to ask him the next time you see him.””
You went over to the fans at the Etihad, how important has their support been this season? Do you think they understand what you’re aiming to build?
““Our fans know their football and they’re the best fans in the world. I’ve had so many good moments with them and it’s important that you celebrate these moments because it was a big day for the ones that went over. It’s also important that we put things in perspective when things don’t go as well. I’ve only had positive contact with our fans and I’m sure our relationship will remain.””
Ole, you’ve always said you’ve belief, internally, about where this is going. Is the hardest thing to get that consistency? Is that the big battle for you as a group?
““Of course consistency is vital in football if you’re going to win trophies and this young team team need to learn how to put performances on maybe when they don’t feel like it, maybe when they don’t feel great - because you don’t feel great every single time that you walk onto the pitch. We’ve had some games where we’ve not been able to perform as well as we like, but that’s a learning curve and with young boys, I’m sure in the next couple of years they’ll improve that as well and, hopefully for the rest of the season, because we’ve come through a sticky patch with some bad injuries and bad results and we’re looking brighter now.””
Can I ask how Jesse and Fred have been since what happened last Saturday? Have you had to give them any extra support in the days since?
““We’ve spoken with the boys and I think they’re the same as me - this isn’t how it should be in football, but what we can do in football is go out onto the pitch next time and prove what we’re doing is football, and we’re all equal in that respect. So, it’s been a tough couple of days for Jesse and Fred but we just have to help the other people to understands that their behaviour is important.””
Ole, Fred has been pretty important in the last week with his performances - can you give us an idea of what you’ve had to do with him, or what he’s had to do, to find this type of form?
““Fred has had the confidence of the coaching staff and the players all the time. This form is down to him, because he’s been working really hard and when he got the chance now that Paul is injured, I think he’s really grabbed it with both feet. We’re all happy to see him perform at this level and I’m sure he can kick on and improve.””
There were suggestions last summer that certain agents didn’t want to put there players here and didn’t think it was the right environment given where the club was at the time. When you’ve had performances like you have in the last week, do you think that makes players want to be a part of this club again?
““You said agents don’t want to put their players here, but I’m sure players want to be here. I don’t speak to too many agents. I think Man United is the biggest and the best club in the world, and I’m sure there are many players out there that would want to be a part of a rebuild at Man United. But results and performances - we want to play a type of football that our fans enjoy and our players enjoy, and maybe some opposition players would like to be a part of as well.””
In this club there is a great and very impressive history of using players who have come through the Academy. I’m sure you’re going to use somebody on tomorrow and Sunday which will mark the 4,000th match in a row where there is at least one player. What does that say about Manchester United and how does that fit into your philosophy of this club?
““It’s a tradition that we’re very proud of and it’s in our DNA to give young players a chance. I think you being from Norway and knowing that I always like to give young players a chance. They can only impress you, the kids, when you give them a chance. It’ll definitely be more than 4,000. It goes without saying that we do have a great Academy and we’ve had it for many years. It’s something we’re proud of.””
We haven’t seen Phil Jones since the Sheffield United match, have you had to support him in the wake of that? Is he injured? What’s the latest with that?
““Phil’s fit and is training hard. I’m sure he’ll come back. It was a tactical thing there, I had to change the formation at half-time against Sheffield United and he was the one to change. Phil is fine.”
Two good wins. The landscape has changed and I guess everyone is happy, aren’t they?
““Of course if affects the mood when you get results. But it’s still windy and cold out there, the landscape doesn’t change that much! It’s on to the next one.””
You suggested on Friday that Paul Pogba would be training and would be on the grass. Is there any chance of him playing against Alkmaar?
““No. It’s too early yet.””
And in terms of a prognosis of how long that might take - are you still talking about 2019?
““Yeah, we hope so. He’s working hard to get fit and hopefully we can get him back on the pitch.””
How much difference has the last two games made in terms of people inside the club, and outside, having more conviction about what you’re trying to do? ““Inside, we’ve always had belief that what we’re doing is the right thing. So, it might change the perception on the outside, but then results, you can’t control that. Of course, it could have been two draws, it could have been 4-0 wins. That’s just the nature of football. Sometimes you’ve got the margins on your side. I think the decision we made by sending a young team to Kazakhstan to play Astana made the players that stayed here have more energy and be really ready for this week because it was a hard week.””
Is there more conviction when you say you’re going down the right path after you’ve beaten Tottenham and Manchester City than when you’re losing against Bournemouth or Newcastle?
““Yeah, of course. Results are always the proof in the end, but inside we’ve always believed in what we’re doing. Yeah, there are going to be ups and downs - we’ve said that as well, but we are on the right track. I see these boys every single day in training and their attitude and skills and the quality they’ve got. So, I’ve not been that worried.””
In terms of this competition are you bothered whether you win the group or not? ““Of course I’m bothered because I’m not going to send these boys out and say ‘I don’t care if you win or lose’. Every time you play for Man United is a game that you have a chance to prove to yourself, and to your team-mates and to me and the supporters, that you deserve to be part of this team for a long time.””
Ole, I just wondered where the last week ranks in your personally football career. How good has it been?
““You don’t get too much time to think about that because there’s a game again. I don’t rank weeks, I don’t look at it that way, I just look forward.””
In terms of the record against the ‘top six’ and then the results against Bournemouth and Newcastle - what did you put that down to? ““Because the results have been very different… We played well.””
Why? ““We played well and we have good players. Of course, there are different teams and every opposition gives you different problems and you’ve got to solve those problems and create problems for them. That’s just football.””
Just in terms of other injury news. Is there any update on Nemanja Matic? Is he going to be fit soon?
““Yeah, he’s fit and is due to be involved.””
Diogo Dalot? ““He’s just had one day of training so it’s too early for Diogo.””
I know we keep going on about Paul and him coming back. But the way your midfield has been playing, Fred has got much better, it’s not automatic that he goes straight back into the team…
““Let’s get Paul fit first and back in form, then Paul will play loads of games. For me, he’s one of the best players in the world and we’re looking forward to having him back.””
You’re back in sight of the top four after the two wins, but how important is it to keep the Europa League campaign going, in terms of winning a trophy and then an avenue to the Champions League as well? ““You can ask Sergio as well because we won this trophy a few years ago and it’s a great tournament. For me, I’ve enjoyed it with Molde and I’m enjoying it now, and, of course, we’re hoping to go all the way.””
We saw a special moment between you and Sir Alex on Saturday. What was the verdict from him. It’s a long time since we’ve seen him that happy at game. Did he recognise himself in what he saw? ““He’s Man United through and through. Of course, you’re happy when you beat your local rivals but for us, it’s important that we go onto the next one and keep on winning. He might have had a glass of red win, I don’t know, I didn’t see him after the game. I saw him in the dressing room, but you’ll have to ask him the next time you see him.””
You went over to the fans at the Etihad, how important has their support been this season? Do you think they understand what you’re aiming to build?
““Our fans know their football and they’re the best fans in the world. I’ve had so many good moments with them and it’s important that you celebrate these moments because it was a big day for the ones that went over. It’s also important that we put things in perspective when things don’t go as well. I’ve only had positive contact with our fans and I’m sure our relationship will remain.””
Ole, you’ve always said you’ve belief, internally, about where this is going. Is the hardest thing to get that consistency? Is that the big battle for you as a group?
““Of course consistency is vital in football if you’re going to win trophies and this young team team need to learn how to put performances on maybe when they don’t feel like it, maybe when they don’t feel great - because you don’t feel great every single time that you walk onto the pitch. We’ve had some games where we’ve not been able to perform as well as we like, but that’s a learning curve and with young boys, I’m sure in the next couple of years they’ll improve that as well and, hopefully for the rest of the season, because we’ve come through a sticky patch with some bad injuries and bad results and we’re looking brighter now.””
Can I ask how Jesse and Fred have been since what happened last Saturday? Have you had to give them any extra support in the days since?
““We’ve spoken with the boys and I think they’re the same as me - this isn’t how it should be in football, but what we can do in football is go out onto the pitch next time and prove what we’re doing is football, and we’re all equal in that respect. So, it’s been a tough couple of days for Jesse and Fred but we just have to help the other people to understands that their behaviour is important.””
Ole, Fred has been pretty important in the last week with his performances - can you give us an idea of what you’ve had to do with him, or what he’s had to do, to find this type of form?
““Fred has had the confidence of the coaching staff and the players all the time. This form is down to him, because he’s been working really hard and when he got the chance now that Paul is injured, I think he’s really grabbed it with both feet. We’re all happy to see him perform at this level and I’m sure he can kick on and improve.””
There were suggestions last summer that certain agents didn’t want to put there players here and didn’t think it was the right environment given where the club was at the time. When you’ve had performances like you have in the last week, do you think that makes players want to be a part of this club again?
““You said agents don’t want to put their players here, but I’m sure players want to be here. I don’t speak to too many agents. I think Man United is the biggest and the best club in the world, and I’m sure there are many players out there that would want to be a part of a rebuild at Man United. But results and performances - we want to play a type of football that our fans enjoy and our players enjoy, and maybe some opposition players would like to be a part of as well.””
In this club there is a great and very impressive history of using players who have come through the Academy. I’m sure you’re going to use somebody on tomorrow and Sunday which will mark the 4,000th match in a row where there is at least one player. What does that say about Manchester United and how does that fit into your philosophy of this club?
““It’s a tradition that we’re very proud of and it’s in our DNA to give young players a chance. I think you being from Norway and knowing that I always like to give young players a chance. They can only impress you, the kids, when you give them a chance. It’ll definitely be more than 4,000. It goes without saying that we do have a great Academy and we’ve had it for many years. It’s something we’re proud of.””
We haven’t seen Phil Jones since the Sheffield United match, have you had to support him in the wake of that? Is he injured? What’s the latest with that?
““Phil’s fit and is training hard. I’m sure he’ll come back. It was a tactical thing there, I had to change the formation at half-time against Sheffield United and he was the one to change. Phil is fine.”
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