Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hailed Jack Grealish and dismissed talk of Manchester United’s interest Nathan Ake.
Grealish is among Solskjaer’s leading targets when the transfer window opens – and will have the chance to enhance his reputation when United travel to Aston Villa on Thursday.
The 24-year-old was outstanding when scoring in a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in December – and Solskjaer is wary of his threat again at Villa Park.
“The last game they caused us some problems,” he said. “Grealish off left and Anwar El Ghazi on right.
“Grealish scored a fantastic goal. There’s been loads said about him and we need to be aware of him. If he’s off the left, middle or right, he attracts players to him - but there’s not just one player in that Villa team, there are a lot of them.”
Solskjaer wants to strengthen his attack at the end of the season, with Jadon Sancho his leading target. He also wants more depth and creativity in midfield, with Grealish among a list of players monitored that also include Donny van de Beek and James Maddison.
But the United manager quashed links with Bournemouth centre back Ake, who he was seen talking to after last week’s 5-2 win.
He said: “I’ve got seven centre backs. I don’t know where that’s come from. We’re fine.”
