Manchester United’s interim manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has warned Anthony Martial and David de Gea the “grass isn’t always greener”, amid continuing speculation over their long term futures.
De Gea is currently contracted until 2020, but wants assurances over the future direction of the club and is seeking parity with United’s top earners before penning a new deal.
Martial, meanwhile, came close to quitting United in the summer, having been frozen out by Jose Mourinho, but is now expected to sign a new contract.
Solskjaer believes both players would be wise to remain at Old Trafford.
“I know the club want them to sign, of course, because they are top quality players.
“It’s down to the players, but when you’re at Man United there isn’t a lot of greener grass on the other side. You are at the best place. It’s the biggest club in the world.
“For me, I would hope I can help or guide these players to maybe tip them over to thinking they want to stay at this club.
“If you are a regular at Manchester United, I think you should grasp the opportunity to stay here and become part of the history.
“I had loads of offers and possibilities to move but the manager [Sir Alex Ferguson] sat me down and told me I was going to be an important part of his team, his squad, and I was going to play enough games.
“I felt privileged to play here. I am also stubborn. The club agreed to sell me to Spurs one time and I said, ‘No, thank you’. My agent wanted me to go but I knew I was at the best place.
“I wasn’t sure the grass was greener somewhere else. I had a period when I wasn’t playing. I would get angry. Then he [Ferguson] would put me in the team and I would feel a big part of it and important. But we’re not talking about squad players now – we are talking about top players,” Solskjaer said according to the UK Metro.
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