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Rob DawsonCorrespondent
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has called the racist abuse directed at Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial after the loss to Sheffield United “disgusting”.
The club condemned the number of abusive messages sent to the pair on social media after the 2-1 loss on Wednesday, and the United manager said those responsible were not welcome to support the club.
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“It’s amazing that we still have these scenes, this abuse in 2021,” Solskjaer told a news conference on Friday.
“We’ve been campaigning for a long time with the Premier League and I think it’s working, but there are still some people who don’t have it.”
“They hide behind social media and are anonymous. It is unacceptable and it is disgusting. They are not Man United fans when this happens. We are all behind each of our players.”
“Axel is fine, I have spoken with him and of course he is not nice, but he is a strong boy, strong character.”
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters issued a statement Friday condemning the abuse. It read: “I am shocked to see the racial abuse received by players this week. Racist behavior in any form is unacceptable and no one should have to deal with it. Addressing hate online is a priority for football, and I believe that social media companies need to do more.
“In the Premier League we will continue to support players, coaches and their families who experience discriminatory abuse online. Through our central reporting system, we have been able to take immediate action in cases like this and investigate every report received, with legal action taken. where possible.
“We are in regular dialogue with social media companies, challenging them to do more against discriminatory abuse on their platforms. We want to see a faster removal of offensive messages and better identification and banning of criminals.”
Meanwhile, Solskjaer said he wants Jesse Lingard to return to United after his loan from West Ham United.
The 28-year-old will be moving to the London stadium until the end of the season and Solskjaer said he hopes the midfielder will return to the club “revitalized”.
“We want Jesse to come back here revitalized and after having shown in West Ham what a good player he is,” added Solskjaer.
“He’s just been unlucky with a couple of issues, in some periods he’s had to stay away from us with COVID – isolation and close contact.
“The rest of the team have done well, we have had little or no injuries and he has not forced his entry into the team. We want him to come back and show he is a Man United player from start to finish.”
Solskjaer also expects Marcos Rojo to join Boca Juniors before the January transfer window ends, but goalkeeper Sergio Romero could remain at the club until the summer despite not being around this season.
“Marcos is likely to return to Argentina, there is little paperwork to do,” Solskjaer said. “With Sergio, I haven’t heard anything other than that he will be with us for the rest of his contract.”
United travel to Arsenal on Saturday looking to bounce back from a surprising home loss to Sheffield United on Wednesday.
Solskjaer has defender Eric Bailly on hand after being sidelined midweek with injury.
“He is traveling to Arsenal,” Solskjaer added. “Other than that we didn’t have any other Sheffield United losses and the players are fit and eager to play.”
