'MARCOS CAN COME BACK A FITTER AND BETTER PLAYER'
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Marcos Rojo can return from his loan spell with Estudiantes as a fitter and better player.
Rojo rejoined the club where he started his career on Thursday, after 122 United appearances in five-and-a-half seasons in M16.
The versatile defender was signed from Sporting Lisbon by Louis van Gaal in 2014, but has struggled with injuries of late, and Solskjaer believes the move could reignite the South American’s career.
“Marcos is a lovely lad, he's got the fire in his belly, he's a winner and he wasn't getting enough football here,” admitted the Norwegian, speaking in his Friday press conference ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“It was important for him to start playing. He wants to come back a fitter and better player, hopefully having played well for Estudiantes and helped Seba [Veron] and his club, and gone to the Copa America. So that was something we just had to do.”
The manager was keen to praise Rojo’s thirst for United and football, in general, noting that the 29-year-old spent some of his last few hours in Europe at the Etihad Stadium, cheering the Reds on along with the rest of the away end in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Manchester City.
“He was in the away end against City, he was there at Liverpool,” enthused Ole. “He's such a passionate guy and he wants to support this team.”
Rojo will stay with Estudiantes – where he won both the Copa Libertadores and the Argentinian Primera title, also playing in the World Club Championship final against Barcelona – until the end of the season, and will link up with former United cult hero Juan Sebastian Veron, who is currently the club’s chairman, and much-capped international Javier Mascherano.
The left-footer started just three games last term, but is keen to regain form and fitness ahead of this summer’s Copa America, which takes place in Colombia and Argentina. La Albiceleste have not won the competition since 1993.
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