Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 5y

Poch apologises after feisty Spurs-Utd friendly

SHANGHAI -- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed Daniel James to handle any rough treatment in the Premier League next season as Mauricio Pochettino was forced to apologise after a bad tempered friendly between Manchester United and Tottenham in China.

James was on the end of a reckless challenge from Moussa Sissoko before the France international appeared to stamp on the former Swansea winger.

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Pochettino felt the need to apologise to United after a number of heavy challenges from his players, including Dele Alli who was booked following two heavy challenges.

"I apologise to Manchester United on behalf of our players," said Pochettino. "I was a little bit annoyed about some situations. I was not happy because sometimes you can arrive late and something can happen.

"Sometimes you need to be aggressive and play with passion but the focus is on building our fitness and developing the way we want to play."

Solskjaer said tough challenges are part of the game and was impressed by James' physical style of play.

"We can't lose tackling in football as long as you tackle fairly," said Solskjaer. "[James] is so quick and it's not easy to time tackles against him.

"I can understand why players mis-time tackles against him and he's a brave little boy and he jumps, he's taken a few knocks over the tour but as an old man I like to see tackles.

"There's no rolling about or diving. If he stays down, he's injured. But he gets up when he's just hurt. There's a difference between being hurt and injured."

Angel Gomes' first senior goal handed United a 2-1 victory at the Hongkou Stadium to complete a perfect summer tour for Solskjaer after four wins from four.

Eric Bailly left the stadium on crutches and wearing a knee brace on his left leg after suffering an injury just nine minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute.

It was only the Ivory Coast international defender's third game back after undergoing surgery on his right knee at the end of last season.

"It's never nice when you get an injury," said Solskjaer.

"He's done his knee but we're not sure how bad it is. We need to get back to Manchester and do the scans but let's hope for the best."

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