Man Utd legend Schmeichel says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has created a team of leaders who are ready to be a force again
PETER SCHMEICHEL claims the “confusion” at Manchester United is finally over under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
And legend Schmeichel believes his old team-mate has assembled a group of fearsome leaders to finally make them a force again.
United travel to Tottenham on Friday to face ex-manager Jose Mourinho.
January signing Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba could play together for the first time. And iconic keeper Schmeichel, 56, believes they are among the strong-minded, vocal stars in the group.
The Dane, who won the Premier League five times at Old Trafford, said: “It is so nice to see all these leaders.
“There are four or five of them now — but it has not always been like that.
“It was just due to lack of consistency from the top guy at United in previous years.
“The managers have had different philosophies, signing different players.
“So there has been confusion over who United were — but that is now all behind us. Some players signed in that period were probably not right for the club but I think Ole saw this and understood it.
“Fernandes has done well. What a great player. What a great personality.
“He comes across as a proper leader. I was at Old Trafford when he made his debut against Wolves.
“He was giving directions, started talking to players around him, asked them to go in certain positions.
“Stuff you unfortunately do not see too much in modern-day football.
“And I believe the more leaders you have, the better your team will be. Every successful team I played in had four, five, six or seven leaders and United now have a few.
“Harry Maguire has come into the club and done well.
“He is club captain and has grown immensely since he has had that responsibility. He is a true leader.
There has been confusion over who United were — but that is now all behind us. Some players signed in that period were probably not right for the club but I think Ole saw this and understood it.
Peter Schmeichel
“Fernandes has shown himself as a leader straight away, Paul Pogba has always been a leader. It is great to have him back.
“It has been a long, long season without him. You could argue the team has done really well without him — but United is a club that wants to have the best players. He is one of the best in the world.
“Marcus Rashford leads as well. You see him getting more confident and what he has been doing off the pitch during the coronavirus crisis is amazing.”
Striker Rashford, 22, has raised about £20million to supply three million meals for vulnerable people.
Schmeichel added: “How many guys in his position have you seen do that?
“He has not lost touch with where he is from.
“That carries more value than the other guys we see pretend to be someone else. So, he is a leader. Fred has massively improved for United. But Victor Lindelof has also done well.”
Schmeichel knows the trip to Spurs is a massive game for fifth-placed United — who are four points better off than their eighth-placed opponents.
He added: “They need to reach the Champions League. It will be easier to get top players in. This is a developing period, rather than one having to win trophies.”
To mark the return of the Premier League, streaming service NOW TV are giving two fans, along with five of their mates, the chance to watch their team play.
And you will be joined by one of your club legends — John Barnes (Liverpool) or Schmeichel (United) via a private video call. This will be for either Spurs v Manchester United on Friday or Everton v Liverpool on Sunday.
To enter, fans must email Legendswatchalong@feverpr.com with details of which team you support and why you want to watch a game with either legend.
manchester united news
Winners will also get a one-month free NOW TV Sky Sports Pass.
Schmeichel said: “This is a fun, interesting, new way of watching a game with me.
“We will have our own little chat pre-game, at half-time and post-match. It’s fantastic.”