Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 5y

Solskjaer: 'Too many' centre-backs at United

MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted the summer transfer window has left him with "too many" centre-backs.

Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof were picked for the opening weekend win over Chelsea with youngster Axel Tuanzebe providing cover from the bench.

It meant Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo all missed out on a place in the squad and Solskjaer, who will also have Eric Bailly available when he returns from injury, has accepted he will have to deal with some frustrated defenders at Old Trafford this season.

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"I do have too many centre-backs to keep everyone happy," said Solskjaer.

"But we need to win games, we need to perform, so we're going to pick the players that will give us the biggest chance to win games."

United turned down loan enquiries for Smalling and Jones on deadline day but sources have told ESPN FC they are still listening to offers for Rojo.

The Argentina international saw a move to EvertonĀ collapse on deadline day but Fenerbahce, AC Milan, Marseille and Monaco remain interested in securing a loan deal with an obligation to buy before the European deadline on Sept. 2.

"They're all quality centre-backs and I know that we will need quite a few of them," said Solskjaer ahead of the trip to Wolves on Monday night.

"Of course, Eric's injury means that at the moment I've got six fit ones, which is maybe one too many to keep everyone involved.

"But then that's our jobs, to make the most of what we have now, and for them as well to make sure every day in training.

"And when they get the chance, because they will -- we've got loads of games, play well when you get it.

"All of these, Marcos, Phil, Chris -- they've been here for a long time and they've proven that they can do it."

With two weeks to go before the European deadline, there is still speculation surrounding Paul Pogba amid interest from Real Madrid.

The Frenchman reignited talk of a move to the Bernabeu by saying there was a "question mark" over his future after the 4-0 win over Chelsea but Solskjaer insists Pogba will remain a United player this season.

"You [the media] always put question marks around Paul," said Solskjaer.

"I don't think it's odd saying enjoy playing, I have fun with my teammates, I enjoy what I'm doing, I love my job and enjoy the game.

"Of course that sentence with the question mark about him, there's always question marks about Paul.

"There's not one press conference that I've not answered a question about Paul Pogba -- 80 percent of what he said was that he enjoyed that game and his time here.

"I've got absolutely no concerns on Paul. For me, yeah he's going to stay."

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