Solskjaer complains about the damage Manchester United are facing that Leeds can exploit

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Man United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Leeds could have a clear advantage in the opening match of the new Premier League season.

Man Utd will be entering the new campaign with high hopes of launching a sustainable title challenge. Local rivals Man City will undoubtedly be the favorites, and the arrival of Jack Grealish has added another layer of stars to their side with Harry Kane also on the agenda.

The Red Devils have signed their own superstars, with Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane arriving for a grand total of around £114m.

However, amid various issues, Solskjaer does not expect either pair to start opposite Leeds on August 14.

The Manchester Evening News report that Sancho “will not be back from vacation until next week”. Moreover, Varane has not yet undergone a doctor with visa issues and quarantine period delaying his official disclosure.

However, they are not the only first-team players who may miss their opening game.

Having reached the final stages of Euro 2020 and Copa America respectively, Solskjaer wasn’t sure if Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Fred would be ready to go off the field.

Leeds is known for its high-intensity style and, by comparison, hasn’t had much of a fuss with players on international assignments.

That could give Marcelo Bielsa’s side a huge advantage, and speaking to the men’s team, Solskjaer was well aware that his side faced an uphill battle in match week.

“They (Sancho and Varane) haven’t trained with us yet, and I need to find out how they are,” Solskjaer said. “I can’t see them available for Everton [final pre-season friendly] But I hope they’re ready to be on the bench [against Leeds].

“We are not everyone yet and we still lack a few. Every year there is a tournament it is difficult. Luke [Shaw]Harry [Maguire]Fred – few – will only have the Everton game to prepare.

“It’s still not perfect because I think teams with fewer players in tournaments have an advantage early on but we’re as ready as possible.

“Fred played nine games over the summer and we had three weeks and then two weeks to get ready again, so they have to be ready.”

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Fernandez sets expectations for Sancho and Varane

Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes says settling at Manchester United is the first job of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane at Manchester United.

Asked if his United team-mates were excited about Sancho and Varane, the midfielder told the club’s official website: “Of course. When you see the upcoming names and what they’ve done in the past few seasons, we’re really happy with everyone who comes in.

“Of course it is important to keep the players who have been here for the last few seasons because you have to grow up and at the same time you have to keep the same players to know that we are doing better and better. With this team we know we can do better, but adding some players to the team helps. The team is getting better.”

“We always want to help those who enter the club. Anyone who comes to the club to be part of the group will get help from everyone because we always say it’s like family here.

“We are together for a very long time and the season will be long and hopefully as long as possible so that we can win some titles and at the same time we want to help everyone settle into the team.

“This is really important as I said before, we want this club and this group to be as a family and we will do everything to do that.”

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