Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer commented on a need for ‘intensity’ from his side ahead of today’s pre-season friendly victory over Everton.
Solskajer’s side are set to go head-to-head with Leeds United at Old Trafford next weekend in what will be the two clubs’ first league match of the season.
A 4-0 win over the Toffees saw a number of players return to their side, as many of their international players saw their first taste of match action since the conclusion of EURO 2020.
David de Gea, Victor Lindelof, Bruno Fernandes, Anthony Martial and England stars Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are all playing their first minutes of pre-season after missing the majority of the club’s summer schedule.
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Manchester United reportedly saw this encounter with Everton as vital as they look to get their players up to the required level for Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds outfit.
Speaking to MUTV prior to the match, Solskjaer said: “It is very (important).
“We lost the game to Preston under those circumstances which weren’t under our control. So, it is important for them that they get the intensity of the game. But most of them played not long ago, so they should be ready.
“You want to see good performances going into next week in good mood with good confidence, intensity today is important. We will make a few changes because we need to have people ready for next weekend.
“As we saw with Jesse (Lingard) he would have been a starter today definitely and he’s out, so we need as many as possible.”
The club confirmed that prior to the match that Lingard had tested positive for Covid-19, with no return date yet set.
“Unfortunately, Jesse Lingard is unavailable after testing positive for Covid-19,” a clubstatement read. “He is isolating in line with Government and Premier League Guidelines.”
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