Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will avoid buying “rotten apples” as he insists new signings must be confident but “humble enough” if they want to challenge for the Premier League title.
Solskjaer signed Harry Maguire, Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in his first summer transfer window as United boss in an attempt to shape a new-look team around a core of ambitious, young British players.
Portugal international Bruno Fernandes then arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon in January – followed by the loan signing of Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo – and United continue to be linked with more domestic and foreign talent this summer.
Despite the coronavirus pandemic potentially affecting any big-money transfers this year, Solskjaer says any player he adds to his squad in the future will have to buy into the club’s collective philosophy.
“I did feel that I was professional and did feel privileged to play for Manchester United,” Solskjaer told the Shiv Nadar Foundation.
“I wouldn’t be able to look at myself if I didn’t know I’d given everything for my team-mates and my manager.
“That’s what I also now look for in players that we sign or we bring up from the youth team. You have to have a good personality and that you are professional because one rotten apple in the basket will make the others rotten.
“But the first step to be a Manchester United player and person, you have to be humble enough to know you always have to work hard. Never give in and always do your best, 100 per cent effort is required every day and don’t think you are better than you are.
“You still have to play with that confidence at the same time. It’s a fine balance but that is what is going to make the difference when we want to get to the championship again that we want to win.”
