Michael Carrick was reunited with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in Norway this week, just months after beating him to the Manchester United manager’s job. The Premier League side have been in Norway for pre-season preparations, where they thrashed Rosenborg 5-0 on Friday, with Shea Lacey, Joshua Zirkzee, Jacob Devaney, Harry Amass and Ethan Williams all scoring. Away from the pitch, Carrick met up with Solskjaer, his former assistant role at Old Trafford. The pair are thought to have a close relationship, despite Carrick having beaten Solskjaer to the top job last season after Solskjaer was reportedly in talks for a second stint. Red Devils chiefs opted for Carrick instead, handing him the permanent role after 12 wins from 17 games that secured Champions League football. Carrick had earlier said he sought advice from Solskjaer, stating: “Yeah, yeah I’ve spoken to him. We’re close, we’ve been through a lot together. He’s been fully supportive, as you’d expect. He’s some man, I respect him an awful lot. He wished us all the best, and he was happy that we got the right result.” After the Rosenborg win, Carrick added: “Clean sheet, scoring goals, and everyone, by the looks of it, coming through injury-free is what you want at this stage.”
Back in Scotland, Rangers manager Derek McInnes is hoping to announce another signing within 48 hours, with a second possible by the time his side open their season away to Dundee United on Friday. “We are quite hopeful we’ve got one done at the minute and hopefully we’ll have some news on that in the next 48 hours and we’re also trying to maybe bring one more in if we can for Friday night,” McInnes said. Rangers have already brought in seven new players this summer, but a defender and winger appear to be priorities. McInnes lamented the lack of chances in Sunday’s goalless draw with West Ham United, saying: “It is just those difference makers. I think a club like ours needs to have those guys who can isolate and go one v one.” Meanwhile, Nicolas Raskin will not be involved for the opening part of the season as Rangers anticipate transfer interest in the Belgian midfielder, having signed three defensive midfielders in anticipation of a sale. “We always thought he could be a flight risk this summer on the back of the World Cup,” McInnes said. Asked about any imminent outgoings, he added: “There’s been a wee bit of interest in one or two without naming names.”
“Carrick meets Solskjaer in Norway after beating him to Man Utd job, while Rangers boss McInnes targets two signings before season opener.”