Manchester United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has laughed off suggestions he buttered up Nathan Ake ahead of a possible move for the Bournemouth defender in the summer.
In footage aired by broadcasters, Solskjaer approached Ake after United's 5-2 thrashing of Bournemouth on Saturday and briefly spoke with the Netherlands international. Although the BT Sport caption read: 'You need a bit of luck from your centre-backs. Just keep going', many felt Solskjaer actually said: 'We need a left-footed centre-back, so keep going.'
United captain Harry Maguire has been culpable for recent goals against Tottenham and Bournemouth, Victor Lindelof has not convinced for much of the season, the erratic Eric Bailly conceded a penalty against Bournemouth, Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones are sidelined through injury, Chris Smalling is on loan at Roma and Marcos Rojo is still in Argentina even though his disastrous loan with Estudiantes appears to have expired.
Rojo is surplus at United and Under-18 captain Teden Mengi has been drafted into first-team training by Solskjaer, who insists he is content with his options at centre half.
"I've got seven centre-backs," Solskjaer laughed. "I don't know where that's come from. We're fine."
United travel to Aston Villa on Thursday night aiming to match the 17-game unbeaten run Jose Mourinho presided over in 2016-17. Victory for United will take them to within one point of fourth-placed Leicester, who were 14 points clear of United after 24 games.
Lindelof is a doubt for the game with a back injury but if Solskjaer fields an unchanged side for the fourth league game running it will be the first time United have done so since November 2006.
"There aren't many that haven't played in the last two weeks," Solskjaer added. "There are so many games. They all know they're fit available and valued, and are going to be important for us, if it's coming on for half-an-hour, starting or 45 minutes, it's not an issue.
"There are so many things to play for: trophies, FA Cup, Europa League, but also the top three or four positions in the league as well. The group is very tight-knitted and they know they have got a part to play."
