Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 20/01/21...

[WhiteJC]

Nice in talks to bring Fulham defender back to Ligue 1, says report

French outfit Nice are believed to be in advanced negotiations with Fulham to re-sign central defender Maxime Le Marchand, according to a report.

The Ligue 1 outfit have a hole to fill in central defence. That's due to an injury for Brazilian stopper Dante.

Their back-ups are lacking in experience. Robson Bambu, Flavius Daniliuc, Stanley Nsoki and Andy Pelmard are all on the books. But they've had limited chances at that level.

It means Nice are looking to bring Le Marchand back to the club for a second stint. That's according to a report in French outlet Téléfoot Chaine (via Get French Football News).

The 31-year-old French defender played for Nice between 2015 and 2018 after signing from Le Havre.

Fulham signed him from Nice in the summer of 2018 after achieving promotion.

He made 21 appearances in that campaign but the Cottagers went down with a tally of just 26 points. And they conceded a league-worst 81 goals in their 38 matches.

Le Marchand made 15 appearances last season as Fulham won promotion via the Championship play-offs.

But his chances have been limited this term. He's played just four times and two of those were in the EFL Cup.

In the Premier League, the Frenchman came on as a second-half substitute in the 3-0 home loss to Aston Villa.

His one start came in the away game at Molineux. That resulted in a 1-0 defeat.

Fulham boss Scott Parker has tightened up the defence in recent months but Le Marchand hasn't been a part of that.

And that suggests a return home to his former club would suit all parties.

Le Marchand could team up with Arsenal man
Le Marchand wouldn't be the first Premier League player to make the move to Nice in recent times.

The club recently announced the arrival of French youth international William Saliba from Arsenal.

Saliba is only 19 so, despite his obvious talent, it's easy to see why Nice would want to bring in a potential partner with more experience.

Le Marchand fits the bill as the man to cover for the injured 37-year-old Dante.



https://www.teamtalk.com/news/nice-want-fulham-defender-le-marchand

[WhiteJC]

QPR interested in Fulham midfielder Johansen

QPR are interested in signing Stefan Johansen on loan.

The Norway midfielder, who recently turned 30, has been out of the first-team picture at Fulham for some time.

Johansen has not made a league appearance this season and a number of clubs have expressed an interest in signing him during this month's transfer window.

QPR are keen to bring in an experienced central midfielder, having already agreed loan deals for striker Charlie Austin and centre-back Jordy de Wijs.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/qpr-interested-in-fulham-midfielder-johansen

[WhiteJC]

Club 'negotiating' to bring back Fulham duo – Neither in Parker's plans going forward

Both brought in from OGC Nice, Maxime Le Marchand's and Jean-Michael Seri's times at Craven Cottage have been far from successes.

Neither have managed to establish themselves as regular starters under Scott Parker, and while the centre-back has been used here and there, the midfielder has not.

Combining six appearances for Fulham between them in all competitions this season, the pair look like they could be on their way out, and one club seems prepared to welcome them both.

That's their former club OGC Nice, according to Eurosport journalist Manu Lonjon, who took to Twitter to reveal the Ligue 1 side were currently 'negotiating' the return of their former players.

Invalid Tweet ID

In what capacity isn't revealed, but we can't see them splashing the cash and take on their wages in full, so loans would be the most likely outcomes at this stage.

For Seri, there were strong reports a move to Galatasaray was close, but that doesn't appear to have materialised into anything more in recent days.

We'll have to wait and see, but it appears Fulham could offload some players in the coming week or so.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-negotiating-bring-back-fulham-duo/

[WhiteJC]

QPR make Johansen loan move

QPR have approached Fulham over the possibility of taking midfielder Stefan Johansen on loan for the rest of the season, according to various reports this afternoon.

The Norwegian international, who has made 136 appearances and scored 21 goals in five seasons at Craven Cottage, has not made a first-team appearance this term and has previously spoken of a desire to get regular football in order to continue his international career. The 30 year-old, an integral part of Fulham's two Championship promotions in recent years, was not included in Scott Parker's 25-man Premier League squad and also did not feature in the Whites' recent FA Cup win in Shepherds Bush.

Johansen was similarly discarded the last time Fulham were promoted to the top flight, making just thirteen appearances in 2018/2019 and finishing the season on loan with West Bromwich Albion. Having made 33 league appearances as Fulham were promoted via the play-offs last term, the former Celtic midfielder would be a significant asset to any Championship side and Rangers are known to be keen to strengthen their midfield options.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/01/qpr-make-johansen-loan-move/

[WhiteJC]

Premier League Preview: Manchester United vs Fulham

Manchester United are set to lock horns with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night, hoping to secure full points to regain their top spot at the Premier League table.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side faced defending champions Liverpool on Sunday but the two bitter rivals failed to fire, resulting in a dull and uneventful goalless draw at Anfield.

Undoubtedly, United would have been the happier of the two English sides as they managed to come away with a point from the Reds' fortress.

However, considering the Red Devils' two biggest chances in the game, the Manchester side will be slightly disappointed they couldn't be the first team to claim a league victory at Anfield since April 2017.

After a disappointing start to the new campaign, Manchester United have seen a great revival in their fortunes, and they are now unbeaten in 12 Premier League matches since the 1-0 defeat against Arsenal.

Their recent performances have sparked hopes that the club can clinch the league title for the first time after the retirement of the legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

But to keep the title talks alive, United must secure full points against Scott Parker's side who are currently in the relegation zone, having secured just 2 wins in 17 matches so far.

Fulham do not seem very daunting opponents for the Red Devils, but the Cottagers can also spring a surprise against United, having already earned draws against Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool this season.

Team News 

Solskjaer doesn't have many injury concerns, with non-regulars Phil Jones, Brandon Williams, and Marcos Rojo the only absentees for the next match.

While the same cannot be said for Scott Parker who will be without Tom Cairney, Terence Kongolo, and Mario Lemina. Antonee Robinson will also miss the home match through suspension.



https://redrants.com/premier-league-preview-manchester-united-vs-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Report: Fulham receive approach from QPR for Stefan Johansen

Fulham have received an approach from their London-rivals Queens Park Rangers to take midfielder Stefan Johansen on loan, according to The Athletic.

The midfielder is yet to make a league appearance this season and wasn't named as one of Fulham's 25 registered players.

Scott Parker will be keen to streamline his squad this month as he prepares for a relegation battle.

Johansen played 33 times for the Cottagers as they won promotion to the top-flight last season.

In total, he has played 133 times for Fulham and also has 55 caps for Norway at international level.

Mark Warburton will be keen to steer QPR away from the relegation zone and clearly wants reinforcements.

He has already taken Charlie Austin back to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium and has now identified the Fulham man.

Johansen typically operates in the centre of midfield, although he can play in a more defensive position in front of the back four.

Spotrac claim Johansen earns £10,000-a-week at Craven Cottage and QPR hope to pounce before the month is out.

Fulham boss Parker would surely relish the chance to bolster his own squad this month.

In order to do that, however, some players might have to leave first.

TBR View: Offloading Johansen on loan looks ideal

Johansen arrived at Fulham from Celtic in 2016 and he's proved a decent acquisition.

At 30 he still has plenty left to offer and loaning him out looks like a wise decision from a Fulham perspective.

If the Cottagers were to go down this season they might need Johansen back.

He is proven in the second-tier but it's fair to say he needs regular first-team football right now.

Letting him go to QPR looks like the perfect move and would allow Johansen to gain some badly-needed match practice.



https://tbrfootball.com/report-fulham-receive-approach-from-qpr-for-stefan-johansen/

[WhiteJC]

Club want Fulham players for 'practically nothing' – Cottagers reluctant, 'some difficulties' in talks

Earlier today, we relayed quick news from France regarding the potential exit of Maxime Le Marchand and Jean-Michael Seri from Fulham.

Eurosport journalist Manu Lonjon was the one with the information on Twitter, claiming OGC Nice in France were in talks to bring back the pair from London just under three years after selling them to the Cottagers for a fee exceeding £30m.

We weren't sure what the details were since the information given by Lonjon was scarce, but in a video on the outlet's website, he revealed a bit more.

He explained the idea would be to bring both Seri and Le Marchand back for 'practically nothing', which has been met with some reluctance from Fulham considering the amount they originally paid for their services.

It's said there are 'some difficulties' in the negotiation process, but it's part of their January plans, and it appears the pair, should this go through, would be leaving the Premier League club for good rather than on a temporary basis.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-want-fulham-players-practically-nothing-cottagers-reluctant-difficulties-talks/

[WhiteJC]

Premier League: West Brom v Fulham will be shown live on BBC

West Brom manager Sam Allardyce replaced Slaven Bilic in December

West Brom's home match against Fulham on Saturday, 30 January will be broadcast on BBC One, the BBC Sport website and the iPlayer.

All Premier League fixtures up to and including the last weekend of February will be televised live in the UK.

Matches will continue to be shown across Sky Sports, BT Sport, Amazon Prime and the BBC.

Fulham's visit to The Hawthorns, kicking off at 15:00 GMT, could prove crucial to both sides' survival hopes.

Sam Allardyce's Baggies are 19th in the Premier League, one place below Scott Parker's Fulham.

All Premier League matches have been televised live in the UK since June, when the 2019-20 season resumed behind closed doors after a three-month suspension forced by the coronavirus pandemic.

But under the current three-year UK television deal that began in 2019, only 200 of the 380 Premier League matches per season were originally contracted to be shown live.

So when last season resumed, the extra live games were divided up among the four UK television rights holders, including the BBC.

In October, the Premier League introduced pay-per-view broadcasts - at £14.95 - for all matches not selected for live coverage by Sky, BT and Amazon under their existing contracts.

But after significant protests among fan groups, the scheme was scrapped in November, will all extra live games once again shared out among the UK rights holders.

The January/February fixture list and where you can watch
Thursday, 21 January

Liverpool v Burnley (20:00 GMT - Sky Sports)

Saturday, 23 January

Aston Villa v Newcastle United (20:00 GMT - Sky Sports)

Tuesday, 26 January

Crystal Palace v West Ham United (18:00 GMT - BT Sport)

Newcastle United v Leeds United (18:00 GMT - BT Sport)

Southampton v Arsenal (20:15 GMT - BT Sport)

West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City (20:15 GMT - BT Sport)

Wednesday, 27 January

Burnley v Aston Villa (18:00 GMT - BT Sport)

Chelsea v Wolverhampton Wanderers (18:00 GMT - BT Sport)

Brighton & Hove Albion v Fulham (18:00 GMT - BT Sport)

Everton v Leicester City (20:15 GMT - BT Sport)

Manchester United v Sheffield United (20:15 GMT - BT Sport)

Thursday, 28 January

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool (20:00 GMT - BT Sport)

Saturday, 30 January

Crystal Palace v Wolverhampton Wanderers (15:00 GMT - Sky Sports)

Manchester City v Sheffield United (15:00 GMT - Sky Sports)

West Bromwich Albion v Fulham (15:00 GMT - BBC)

Sunday, 31 January

Chelsea v Burnley (12:00 GMT - BT Sport)

Brighton & Hove Albion v Tottenham Hotspur (19:15 GMT - Sky Sports)

Tuesday, 2 February

Sheffield United v West Bromwich Albion (18:00 GMT - BT Sport)

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal (18:00 GMT - BT Sport)

Manchester United v Southampton (20:15 GMT - BT Sport)

Newcastle United v Crystal Palace (20:15 GMT - BT Sport)

Wednesday, 3 February

Burnley v Manchester City (18:00 GMT - BT Sport)

Fulham v Leicester City (18:00 GMT - BT Sport)

Leeds United v Everton (19:30 GMT - BT Sport)

Aston Villa v West Ham United (20:15 GMT - BT Sport)

Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion (20:15 GMT - BT Sport)

Thursday, 4 February

Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea (20:00 GMT - BT Sport)

Saturday, 6 February

Aston Villa v Arsenal (12:30 GMT - BT Sport)

Fulham v West Ham United (17:30 - Sky Sports)

Sunday, 7 February

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leicester City (14:00 GMT - Sky Sports)

Liverpool v Manchester City (16:30 GMT - Sky Sports)

Monday, 8 February

Manchester United v Everton (20:00 GMT - Sky Sports)*

Saturday, 13 February

Leicester City v Liverpool (12:30 GMT - BT Sport)

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur (17:30 GMT - Sky Sports)

Sunday, 14 February

Arsenal v Leeds United (16:30 GMT - Sky Sports)

Monday, 15 February

Chelsea v Newcastle United (20:00 GMT - Sky Sports)

Saturday, 20 February

Southampton v Chelsea (12:30 GMT - BT Sport)

Liverpool v Everton (17:30 GMT - Sky Sports)

Sunday, 21 February

Aston Villa v Leicester City (14:00 GMT - Sky Sports)

Arsenal v Manchester City (16:30 GMT - Sky Sports)

Manchester United v Newcastle United (19:00 GMT - BT Sport)

Monday, 22 February

Brighton & Hove Albion v Crystal Palace (20:00 GMT - Sky Sports)

Saturday, 27 February

Manchester City v West Ham United (12:30 GMT - BT Sport)

Leeds United v Aston Villa (17:30 GMT - Sky Sports)

Sunday, 28 February

Tottenham Hotspur v Burnley (14:00 GMT - Sky Sports)

Chelsea v Manchester United (16:30 GMT - Sky Sports)

Everton v Southampton (20:00 GMT - Sky Sports)

*Subject to FA Cup participation



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55730295

[WhiteJC]

Club 'willing to welcome' Fulham player – Loan with option to buy, have already 'taken information'

It's all hands on deck at the moment at Fulham, with multiple offers arriving for Jean-Michael Seri.

Already courted by Galatasaray, it was revealed on Wednesday that OGC Nice, his former club, were also interested in bringing him back alongside Maxime Le Marchand.

It was stated the Ligue 1 side were hoping to do so for 'practically nothing', although that was met with some reluctance from the Cottagers, who spent close to £30m on the player in 2018.

However, another option has now appeared, and it's Bordeaux in France.

Following the season ending injury to Otavio, who ruptured his Achilles, the Ligue 1 side are looking at replacements, with their search leading them to the Fulham man.

Foot Mercato in France state Bordeaux have 'taken information' on the midfielder, willing to welcome him on a loan 'with an option to buy', but the amount hasn't come through yet.

The website also confirms other news circulating, namely that OGC Nice want him alongside Le Marchand.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-willing-welcome-fulham-player-loan-option-buy-already-taken-information/

[Southcoastffc]

"who spent close to £30m on the player in 2018" Oh no we didn't!  Amazed that this rubbish is still being regurgitated.  Says a lot about Sportwitness.

[WhiteJC]

Fulham open to offers for Stefan Johansen, Jean Michael Seri and Maxime Le Marchand

QPR are keen on Fulham's Stefan Johansen who was not included in Scott Parker's Premier League squad this season; Galatasaray want Jean Michael Seri back on loan while Maxime Le Marchand is attracting interest from former club Nice


Queens Park Rangers are interested in signing Stefan Johansen

Fulham are listening to offers for Stefan Johansen, Maxime Le Marchand and Jean Michael Seri during the January transfer window.

Queens Park Rangers are interested in signing Fulham midfielder Johansen. The Norwegian international was not included in Scott Parker's Premier League squad for the first half of this season.

Johansen, 30, has made 142 appearances for the club since arriving from Celtic in 2016, he is under contract at Craven Cottage until 2022.

The midfielder spent the second half of the 2018/19 campaign on loan at West Brom but returned ahead of the following season and played 33 times in the Championship as Fulham won promotion back to the Premier League via the play-offs.


Jean Michael Seri spent last season on loan at Galatasaray

Talks continue between Fulham and Galatasaray over the possibility of a loan deal for midfielder Jean Michael Seri.

A move would see the 29-year-old central midfielder join the Turkish club on loan for a second time, with Seri having played 37 times for the Super Lig side while he was there last season.

Seri's contract expires in the summer of 2022, he has the option to extend the deal by a further year.


Maxime Le Marchand played 12 times for Fulham last season but has made just two appearances under Scott Parker so far this term

Meanwhile, Ligue 1 club Nice want defender Maxime Le Marchand to return to the Allianz Riviera.

Fulham signed Le Marchand from the French side in July 2018 and the centre-back has featured just twice in the top flight so far this season.

Le Marchand also has a year and a half remaining on his current contract at Fulham.

Fulham, who are 18th and four points from safety in the Premier League, play Manchester United (January 20), Burnley in the FA Cup (January 24), Brighton (January 27), and West Brom (January 30) before the end of the month.

The winter transfer window is open until Monday, February 1 at 11pm.

Follow all the news and analysis on Sky Sports News and across Sky Sports' digital platforms, including our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/12193576/fulham-open-to-offers-for-stefan-johansen-jean-michael-seri-and-maxime-le-marchand

[WhiteJC]

Fulham defender Ola Aina names the Manchester United and Liverpool stars he hopes to learn from

The loan star has already shown much improvement during his time in the Premier League

Ola Aina has grown into his place at Fulham and he has no intention of letting his progress plateau.

Scott Parker has spoken of the defender's dedication to improving his game since joining on loan from Torino.

The former Chelsea youngster is predominantly a right back but has found his home as a right-sided centre back since the Cottagers moved to a back five and already Aina is looking to learn something from the Premier League's pre-eminent players in the centre of defence.

He told Fulham's youtube channel ahead of the clash with Manchester United: "You could learn from everyone you know, I am not the type of person where I feel like I am the finished model or I'm better than someone.

"I feel like I can always learn off people. Harry Maguire, he's a top professional and he's an England senior player, he's really a good defender.

"You can learn from everyone across the league and he's one of them".

The 24-year-old didn't stop there and hopes to keep an eye on Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk too, who is currently out recovery from an ACL injury.

He said: "It's sort of a little dream come true for me back in the Premier League just playing and in London as well.

"Across the Premier League there's a lot of good defenders, obviously you've got Virgil van Dijk there as well and there are some good youngsters as well, some that are younger than me, you could still learn off them as well."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/aina-maguire-fulham-manchester-united-19665278

[WhiteJC]

 Penning an ode to Scott Parker, a manager from another age, and other distractions

With that square jaw, those cheekbones and piercing stare the former midfielder could be a 1930s Hollywood heart-throb. 

I was so looking forward to watching Spurs-Fulham, mainly because I wanted to observe one person. No not the Blessed Harry, or Nice One Son, and certainly not José, boo.

But oh God, the hurdles I had to jump before I could watch the game. It is an example of the greed of the Premier League, selling rights to so many different companies you have never heard of, forcing fans to pay fortunes, just to watch their team.

Was the game going to be on Sky Sports Premier League, or Main Event, on BT Sports 1, 2, 3, or Amazon Prime? Or, wonder of wonders, have the poor old BBC managed to acquire this game, a crumb thrown out, in order to make the Prem feel virtuous?

I missed the first 20 minutes of the game, faffing on, twiddling endless knobs, screaming and shouting. I knew I had all the channels, because I am daft enough to pay the subs, but could I find the right one? Could I heckers. It was partly my own fault, waiting till the last moment to tune in. I never watch pre-match studio chat or half-time analysis: I have my own half-witted remarks and banal observations.

At last, hurrah – I tuned in and set my eyes on the person who is currently obsessing me – Scott Parker. I first saw him when he was aged 13, in 1993, appearing in a TV commercial for McDonald's. Such a weedy little lad, solemn and serious, yet doing the most amazing number of keepie-uppies. I wondered what would happen to him, having this freakish gift. It was one that I longed to have at his age, yet knowing it would get me nowhere in life, except the circus.

Over the years he has often been asked about this episode in his childhood – and he clearly does not want to talk about, still embarrassed. It probably led to him continually having the piss taken out of him at school.

Fiona Bruce, that honey-voiced, professionally smooth TV presenter, went to the same school as Scott Parker – Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College in New Cross, south-east London. Can you believe it? It was a grammar school at one time, now an academy.

Scott still has his Estuary glottal stop, and could easily be David Beckham's younger brother, while Fiona, well, she is awfully posh. She went on to Oxford. Scott went on to be an apprentice at Charlton Athletic, getting in the first team at 16.

He has played for loads of big clubs, such as Chelsea, Newcastle, Spurs, West Ham, and 18 times for England, but was never exactly a cult figure. Managers were more in love with him than the fans. Despite his frail physique, he always got stuck in, a hard-working midfield corporal, a water carrier like Didier Deschamps.

What was strange about his playing career, and I watched him carefully during his Spurs days, was that he never betrayed any signs of that fancy-dan, ball-juggling, show-pony exhibitionist we had all enjoyed when he did that TV commercial. Perhaps he really had been ashamed of himself.

Now as Fulham manager he is doing a pretty good job with mediocre resources, giving them a shape and a purpose. But the reason I can't take my eyes off him is how he looks.

That square jaw, those cheekbones, that piercing stare, he could be a 1930s Hollywood heart-throb –  a throwback to another era. His hair neatly parted, always the same length, looks as if his mum brushed it. There are none of those constant changes, whether beards or tattoos.

He favours short jackets, short coats, very narrow trousers, like a mod from the Seventies. I thought at first he was wearing clothes too tight, then I realised that's his style.

Mourinho plays to the camera, expecting us all to be enraptured. Scott Parker seems unaware when all eyes are on him.

One of the side-effects of Covid, with no crowds and no pretty girls for the cameras to linger on, is the number of close-ups of managers.

When play gets boring, let's have another shot of Bielsa crouching, or the Wolves manager Nuno Espírito Santo stroking his lush beard, or quick, camera number three, catch those cheekbones of Scott Parker. Oooh, rapture... 



https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/sport/2021/01/penning-ode-scott-parker-manager-another-age-and-other-distractions

[WhiteJC]

Fulham v Manchester United live stream: how to watch the Premier League wherever you are in the world

Watch a Fulham v Manchester United live stream, as the Red Devils look to cling onto top spot

Fulham v Manchester United live stream, BT Sport, Wednesday 20 January, 8.15pm GMT

Manchester United's Premier League title push continues on Wednesday when they travel to London to take on relegation battling Fulham.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw in their clash with champions Liverpool on the weekend but the point was enough to keep them in first place.

The Red Devils are on a superb run of 12 games unbeaten in the league but they will be wary of a potential banana skin at Craven Cottage.

Fulham fell to a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea on the weekend, but before that they had drawn five consecutive games, taking points off the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham.

Scott Parker's side are in 18th place and four points adrift of safety, but getting a result against United would be a huge achievement ahead of more winnable games against Brighton and West Brom.

Antonee Robinson will miss out through suspension after picking up a red card in the defeat to Chelsea, while Bobby Decordova-Reid is also suspended after harshly receiving his fifth yellow card of the season.

Kick-off is at 8.15pm GMT and the game is being shown on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate in the UK.



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fulham-v-manchester-united-live-stream-how-to-watch-the-premier-league-wherever-you-are-in-the-world

[WhiteJC]

Manchester United make Amad Diallo loan decision ahead of Fulham showdown
Manchester United signed Amad Diallo from Atalanta earlier on in the January transfer window.

Manchester United made a decision on a potential loan deal for Amad Diallo, according to reports. The 18-year-old signed from Atalanta earlier in the January transfer window, with the Red Devils viewing his arrival as a significant coup. But he's not expected to feature in their Premier League showdown with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.

United announced on transfer deadline day back in October that they'd agreed a £37million deal to sign Diallo.

And the 18-year-old completed his move to Old Trafford earlier this month.

United have high hopes for Diallo, with the teenager likened to Barcelona's Lionel Messi as a result of his exciting performances at youth level.

And while the Red Devils are open to loaning out Facundo Pellistri, the Manchester Evening News say the same won't be happening with Diallo.

It's claimed they rebuffed Atalanta's efforts to keep the Ivory Coast international on loan until the end of the campaign.

And United are keen to help the teenager settle, determined not to throw him into the first-team mix just yet.

Diallo only made two substitute appearances for Atalanta this season but is one of the most highly-rated teenagers in Europe.

And he could provide a solution for United's problem position on the right wing, with the Red Devils struggling in that department in recent years.

United have played five different players there this season after missing out on Jadon Sancho, who was their priority target during the summer transfer window.

Yet whether Diallo can solve that particular problem is something only time will tell.

Speaking ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Fulham, Solskjaer claimed he could unleash Diallo on rival defences sooner rather than later.

"It might be quicker than that," said the 47-year-old when quizzed on whether the former Atalanta star would feature in the next two months.

"I can't see it being too long until he's in the squad.

"He's definitely settled down well. The players have taken to him, he's a good character, polite, smiley boy who works really hard.

"He's doing his sessions and getting used to us.

"There's always a period of adjustment needed but he's settling in well.

"He can handle the ball, he's enjoyed training and he makes a difference in training, which is quite remarkable at his age."

Diallo recently admitted he was 'excited' about starting his new life with United.

"I'm over the moon to be here," said the 18-year-old.

"I'm so excited to start here at Manchester United. It's a dream come true and I can't wait to start and play with the guys.

"It's been a little bit strange these last few months. I would have hoped to have played a little bit more with Atalanta, but it wasn't possible.

"Now I'm here and I'm very happy to be here and I'm expecting a lot from my experience here. I'm looking forward to starting."

And he also admitted Eric Bailly and Paul Pogba should help him settle into life in England.

"Absolutely, Eric will be a definite reference point for me," he said.

"I've actually already been in touch with him over the last few months and we've been chatting.

"I'll be asking him for advice and will be listening to all he says, and also the other players who speak French and Italian like [Paul] Pogba for example, he will be another good reference point for me."



https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1386745/Manchester-United-transfer-news-Amad-Diallo-Fulham

[WhiteJC]

'He Works Really Hard' - Fulham's Aina Admits Bobby Reid Will Be A Big Miss Vs

Fulham center back Ola Aina has admitted that  Bobby Decordova-Reid will be a big miss against Manchester United at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.

The Jamaica international, Fulham's top scorer with 4 goals from 16 games in the Premier League, is not available for selection against the Red Devils as he is serving a one-game ban for picking up five yellow cards.

Decordova-Reid has earned praise from Aina who revealed that Fulham have benefited from the qualities of the striker.

"He will be missed, Bobby has been fantastic for us throughout the whole season, in the League and in the Cup," Aina said to Fulham's YouTube page.

"It's unfortunate that he has been suspended for this game because he brings a lot to the team - a lot of creativity and a lot of hard work.

"He works really hard for the team so he will be missed".

Aina has an exemplary disciplinary record since returning to the Premier League as his name has not been taken by the referees after sixteen matches in all competitions for Fulham so far this season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=38680