Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 4y

Man United's Solskjaer 'optimistic' on January signings

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said he is "optimistic" about making signings in January despite missing out on Erling Haaland.

Haaland has joined Borussia Dortmund from FC Salzburg for around £17.1 million after United turned down the terms of the deal offered by agent Mino Raiola.

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Solskjaer is in the market for a midfielder and a forward to bolster his squad and the Norwegian is refusing to rule out additions in the January transfer window.

"I'm always an optimist," Solskjaer said. "I'm optimistic we can keep players fit and if the right ones become available we do have the resources and I do have the backing from the board, but it's also about getting the right ones. It has to be.

"There's no point suddenly bringing someone else in now for the sake of three or four months if that can disrupt any good feeling or chemistry in the group, because the chemistry in the group is really good.

"It has to be the right type and it has to be a good investment for the long term as well."

United head to Arsenal on Wednesday on the back of consecutive wins over Newcastle and Burnley over Christmas.

Solskjaer will be without Scott McTominay, who is set for a spell on the sidelines with a knee ligament injury, while Paul Pogba is also a doubt after he missed training on Monday as he continues to build up his fitness following a foot problem.

"If we can keep on improving, one addition and if you get two additions of course that will be competition for places," Solskjaer said.

"That's what you've got to deal with at this club. We haven't had enough because we've had so many injuries.

"We're improving. I think we can see more and more of what we want to be and our identity and what we're good at. We're making games suit our style more and more. We're quite a bit away still from where we want to be but I think we're the youngest team in the Premier League on average."

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