Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's private chat with Jack Grealish highlights Man Utd transfer failure

For most Premier League managers, another dreaded 10-day international break is as bad as it gets. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has lost yet more players to injury, while Jose Mourinho took to Instagram to berate the authorities over COVID testing and for letting “randomers run on the pitch during training sessions”.

Yet for differing reasons, the past few days have been particularly uncomfortable for Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Norwegian has been unable to escape the hype surrounding England star Jack Grealish, following two outstanding performances for the Three Lions against Republic of Ireland and Belgium.

It was another timely reminder of what United could have had and what they decided against earlier this summer.

Ahead of the transfer window, Solskjaer handed Ed Woodward and the United hierarchy a shortlist of names that he wanted to bring to Old Trafford.

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After the game, Solskjaer reportedly approached Grealish in the tunnel to privately congratulate him on his own performance.

“You were the best player on the pitch today,” he allegedly told the 25-year-old.

Villa boss Dean Smith said after the game that he had no ill-feelings towards Solskjaer for his gesture to Grealish.

In his post-match interview, the England international declared he’d fulfilled one of his childhood dreams by scoring at Old Trafford.

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He told Sky Sports: “This was my favourite goal ever. Scoring at Old Trafford. I’ve always wanted to play at Old Trafford.

“I’ve played there before in a reserve cup final but it’s not the same when it’s like that. That’s obviously my favourite ground in the Premier League.”

Solskjaer was so in awe of Grealish’s performance, he even compared the wonder strike to some of his own career goals.

From that moment, it was clear that Solskjaer was head over heels for Grealish.

source: express.co.uk