KEY POINTS

  • Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer addressed the team's conceded goals against Crystal Palace
  • Solskjaer admitted that United is not in its best form this season
  • The Norwegian manager warned all his players to perform at their best or risk their spot

Despite acknowledging that the current Manchester United team has enough talented defenders, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently admitted that his squad is behind in terms of overall form.

Following their devastating 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, United boss Solskjaer reflected on the three goals conceded by his defenders. According to the Norwegian manager, there are several factors to consider in figuring out the team’s mistakes, especially on the defensive end.

"When you concede chances and concede goals, there are two different things you can look at - it's either the team shape, or are there any individual mistakes," Solskjaer said in his media conference after the game, Goal reported.

In United’s case, Solskjaer admitted that the team lacks intensity in defense and is not yet a well-rounded unit.

"We're not in our best shape of form, our shape isn't there, we're not sharp enough to stop crosses or follow the runs," he said. "We're a little bit behind, that's more structural mistakes than individual mistakes."

Despite making the admission about his team’s current form, Solskjaer is confident that the Red Devils are not short of defensive manpower, shutting down rumors of signing another defender.

"We've got many defenders here and I put Eric [Bailly] on to bolster the defense, following the runs of Trossard and Maupay," he pointed out. "For me, we've got enough good center-backs here at the moment."

Manchester United defender Phil Jones
Manchester United defender Phil Jones AFP / Paul ELLIS

After losing to Crystal Palace, United was able to walk away with a 3-2 win against Brighton on Saturday. However, the team still conceded two goals in the process.

Ahead of the match, Solskjaer addressed United’s commitment to the team for the rest of the season and warned all his players to perform at their best, ESPN reported.

"The first major contribution is for them to give 100% and want to be a part of the team themselves," Solskjaer said in a press conference Friday. "They have got to want to be a part of this team going forward, be a part of this culture. If they don't they will have to train by themselves."

Meanwhile, United is still heavily linked to a transfer deal involving a highly-rated defender – Porto’s Alex Telles. The Brazilian left-back has emerged as United's top target after the club missed out on Sergio Reguilon, who joined Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

The Guardian reported that Telles is well aware of his situation and is desperate to move to Old Trafford. According to the report, the 27-year-old is urging Porto to reduce its £18 million ($23 million) asking price.