Solskjaer defends Jadon Sancho against Southgate

Jadon Sancho

has joined

from Borussia Dortmund after scoring 16 goals and assisting 20 in all competitions for the Bundesliga side, but he hasn’t been able to perform as expected, and England manager

Gareth Southgate

has talked about his form, saying that although he has been invited to the national team, he isn’t in a form to play for England.

Manchester United boss

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

has also talked about the player insisting that Gareth Southgate would have changed his mind about Sancho if he had watched the Red Devils 2-1 victory in the Champions League against Villarreal.

"Was that interview done before Wednesday night?"

he said when Southgate's comments, made on Thursday afternoon, were put to him

.

"Jadon was exceptional, he was electric. The crowd loved him and I think he felt that connection.

"He was direct, positive, he went past the full-back numerous times. Yes, he's not scored yet but I thought, 'that's Jadon and we're going to see lots of that'.

"Gareth has also said it's important that Jadon knows (England) believe in him and are invested in him."

Solskjaer has also talked about Southgate’s decision of leaving

Mason Greenwood

out of England’s squad, insisting that he agrees with England’s head coach.

"Gareth had a frank conversation with Mason and his family and they know the situation,"

he said

. "He also knows Mason is really keen on playing for England.

"Gareth is understanding that the boy is only 20 - he turned 20 today [Friday]. He's going to be a top player for England and for Manchester United but he has to be managed in the right way.

"It gives us a chance to work on his fitness but also to give him a rest because he has been playing in many, many games at a high intensity."

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