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FA CUP: Solskjaer opts for warm-weather training camp in Dubai

 

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer  has opted for a £350-a-night warm weather training camp in Dubai following his sides   FA Cup third-round tie with Reading this weekend.

United’s manager and his squad are due to fly out on Saturday evening for a four-day stay at the five-star One&Only Royal Mirage Arabian Court.

Solskjaer has made a big impact since taking over from Jose Mourinho, transforming the mood and playing style. He sees the trip as a chance to bring his squad closer together ahead of their crunch Premier League game against Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham at Wembley on January 13.

Despite the luxury destination, Solskjaer does not intend the trip to be a relaxing break or a reward for his rejuvenated players.

The Norwegian wants to put them through their paces to sharpen up their fitness and use the close environment to assess more acutely the characters he can rely on during his tenure.

Solskjaer and assistant Mike Phelan have gone about their duties with a smile so far, yet the one-time ‘baby-faced assassin’ has not been afraid to show his sterner side.

He reprimanded striker Anthony Martial when the Frenchman missed training on Christmas Day after arriving late from Paris, and will stress the importance of discipline while in Dubai.

Jose Mourinho was often left exasperated at how some of the United squad responded when afforded responsibility before games and Solskjaer has underlined how he won’t allow that to seep back in.

‘You speak to the players with what we, as a staff, expect from the group,’ he said. ‘Never ever, ever, ever forget where you are and what badge you are wearing when you are playing because we do have a different history to other clubs,’ he added in an interview with Stadium Astro.

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