Solskjaer reveals plans to ‘exploit’ transfer market

Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has declared that his side will be in a position to “exploit” the opportunities open to them when the transfer market re-opens.

The Premier League – and indeed football across Europe – was brought to a halt last month due to the spread of coronavirus, with the English season extended indefinitely last week.

As such, Newcastle, Southampton and Bournemouth are among the top-flight clubs to have taken advantage of the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to protect from the fall in revenues.

The lack of football is expected to have an impact on countless clubs across Europe and could lead to pressure to sell when the transfer window re-opens, but United are in no such position having announced they will pay all staff using club funds.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Solskjaer spoke of how United – “one of the biggest” clubs – must be ready to use their financial prowess to pounce on potential deals when the market opens.

“Football is going to get back to normality at one point, and it’s very important we’re ready when that happens,” the manager said.

“We want to be the best at everything, and of course now is a chance to spend more time, you discuss players, discuss plans, we’ve evaluated what we need, of course with the coaching staff we’ve looked at games, evaluated games, discussing on video calls like this

“Then, the market, who knows how the market is going to react to this? Who knows which clubs need to sell players?

“There might be just a situation there where you can exploit, and I know that we at Man United we are one of the biggest, and the biggest, financially well-off.

“I’m sure we are capable, when we get back to normality, that we can do the business that we want to.”

FIFA confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that the market would be slotted in between the end of the current season and the start of the next campaign – both of which are yet to be decided.

Football’s governing body also confirmed that players whose contracts are set to expire on June 30 – such as Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen and Chelsea winger Willian – will have their deals extended until the campaign finishes.

United have been heavily linked with Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish, with the West Midlands club set to fight against relegation when the season resumes.

read also:​Schmeichel urges Man Utd to stick with Solskjaer

In other news, former United striker Dimitar Berbatov has outlined why he thinks Spurs striker Harry Kane will move to Old Trafford.