Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs a trophy this season. He’s been in charge of Manchester United since December 2018 and steadily improved the side, who lost out on the Europa League to Villarreal on penalties in May, but he’s yet to lift any silverware.
With world class talents Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane added to his squad at considerable expense, he’s got the best team he’s ever managed as he hopes to go one better than last season’s second place finish.
Solskjaer, speaking in his first pre-match press conference of the season, said Sancho will feature against Leeds United on Saturday and that Varane will not as he’s yet to train since his transfer hasn’t been completed. The latter frustrates United fans.
United finished 12 points behind champion Manchester City last season and the gap to the champions was even bigger in the seasons before. Can they close it this term? Can Manchester United win a first league title since 2013?
“We’ve gradually closed the gap and nothing is beyond these players,” said Solskjaer, when asked the question by The National.
“I wouldn’t put it past them but it will need a very disciplined season with some margins and some luck, but you want to come to April or May and be around (the top). To do that, we’ve put the first chunk of work away and now it’s about getting results.
"The first game is a big one, it decides the mood in the club with the fans and the players. Then we have two more games before an international break where we’ll review if we are where we want to be. We have to start better than last season if we want to mount a challenge.”
United, with almost no pre-season a year ago, lost three of their opening six games, started poorly the previously season and the one before that. But while in a better position than a year ago, this pre-season has been far from ideal.
A game at Preston was called off meaning no game for 10 days, after players including Jesse Lingard, who was keen to make a positive impression, tested positive for Covid.
Solskjaer likes his players to have three weeks break in the summer, but that means that several returned late after the Euros or Copa America.
“It’s about giving them the time off that they need to recover,” said Solskjaer. “Footballers nowadays, you play 50 or 60 games at the higher intensity level, there’s more scrutiny, social media. They need to switch off. You can’t just add games and add games.
"If you’re successful, that means you have less time. I’ve always said players need a minimum of three weeks to mentally switch off and physically recharge.
"Some have had four weeks, some have had five for different reasons. Some are personal reasons, they’re had a shorter pre-season – say Fred, Luke (Shaw), Harry (Maguire), Jadon – because they went so far in the tournaments. Edinson (Cavani) was a different matter and that’s some personal reasons.
"We need players to play well. We need them to be fresh. The world hasn’t been perfect so there’s quarantine and isolation but I’m sure we’ll reap the benefit when they’ve really got going. Some have only played 45 minutes or a couple of games. Normally you need four or five games after a long holiday.”
Asked about Anthony Martial, who had a poor season last year which was also hit by injury, Solskjaer said: “Anthony will score more goals than he did last season. Mason will only develop. Edinson started (scoring) late in the season (‘20-21). I think he’ll score more goals. Jadon will chip in with goals.
"I feel confident that the burden is not just on Bruno (last season’s top scorer) to score goals. He was fantastic, his return with goals and assists since he came to the club has been unbelievable.
"Marcus will lose out on the first couple of months of the season which isn’t great for him but when he comes back he’ll be fresh again. To be able to spread the goals among the forwards with more goals is going to be important for us. An attacking midfielder shouldn’t be the only one scoring 15-20 (league) goals.”
Martial may frustrate fans, but Solskjaer defends him.
“We rate Anthony. Last season was disappointing. He had injuries, he lost some form. The season before he was our top scorer. I like what I see from him when I see him in training or in the gym. He has that grit between his teeth.”
“We need that to challenge at the top. We can’t be too nice. We can’t have a ‘oh, there’s another game coming’ attitude. Every single game and every single training session matters. If you want to be successful, that’s what you need. Hopefully they’ve had a horrible feeling in their stomach like I have because the last game (against Villarreal) ended the way it did.”
Solskjaer described Leeds as the fittest team in the league.
“You have to be physically and mentally and tactically ready because the movements are so well drilled,” said Solskjaer, who has long admired Marcelo Bielsa. “You have to be brave on the ball and get away from your man because it’s well known that the man-marking style is not for everyone. He’s an amazing coach and manager.”
Solskjaer’s side won the equivalent fixture 6-2 last season before a 0-0 draw in Leeds. He needs the former type of result, not the latter on Saturday.
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RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs
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Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
UAE-based players
Goodlands Riders: Jamshaid Butt, Ali Abid, JD Mahesh, Vibhor Shahi, Faizan Asif, Nadeem Rahim
Rose Hill Warriors: Faraz Sheikh, Ashok Kumar, Thabreez Ali, Janaka Chathuranga, Muzammil Afridi, Ameer Hamza
Secret Pigeon Service: Operation Colomba, Resistance and the Struggle to Liberate Europe
Gordon Corera, Harper Collins
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
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Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Saturday's results
Brighton 1-1 Leicester City
Everton 1-0 Cardiff City
Manchester United 0-0 Crystal Palace
Watford 0-3 Liverpool
West Ham United 0-4 Manchester City
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray
'The Ice Road'
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne
2/5
Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
- Steve Baker
- Peter Bone
- Ben Bradley
- Andrew Bridgen
- Maria Caulfield
- Simon Clarke
- Philip Davies
- Nadine Dorries
- James Duddridge
- Mark Francois
- Chris Green
- Adam Holloway
- Andrea Jenkyns
- Anne-Marie Morris
- Sheryll Murray
- Jacob Rees-Mogg
- Laurence Robertson
- Lee Rowley
- Henry Smith
- Martin Vickers
- John Whittingdale
