Ole on Diallo, the FA Cup and reunions

Jimmy Garner isn’t able to play because the game is against his parent club, but given he’s on loan there presumably you’ve had to monitor him and Watford?
“Yes, of course, and Jimmy has done really well. Then there was a change of manager and the new manager has had only two games and Jimmy hasn’t really had a look-in. The first four or five months have been really positive for Jimmy and he’s a boy that we really believe in. Of course he needs that game time and exposure and the Championship is a very good level of football, so it’s been really good for Jimmy and hopefully he can fight his way back in the team again.”

It’s a bit like friends reunited isn’t it with Tom Cleverley there, who you worked with, and then former players Craig Cathcart and Ben Foster as well?
“Yes, I had all of them in the Reserves a few times. They’re great boys, all of them, and they’ve had good careers and we’re proud of all the players we’ve had in the Academy that have made such good careers as these boys have. But let’s hope it’s not a good reunion for them at Old Trafford.”

We might also see a player who has been tearing it up in Norway, Philip Zinckernagel, for Bodo Glimt. He might be involved…
“Yes, he might be involved and he has done exceptionally well for Bodo Glimt. He’s been really impressive with his goals and assists this season. He’s a player I know about and hopefully if he comes on or he starts then we can stop him. He’s an exciting player.”

Finally Ole, we talk about this most years, but the FA Cup still has that magic doesn’t it?
“Yes, of course it does. It’s a special trophy to lift. I’ve had that pleasure a few times and it’s hopefully one we can do again. We’ve won it so many times. As a kid in Norway you always looked forward to the FA Cup final on TV – it was the last game of the season. I’ve said it many times before, but when Norman Whiteside curled that ball in the far corner with his left foot [in 1985, to win the cup for United] – that is still a vivid memory that I’ve got of United, after playing with 10 men when Kevin Moran was sent off.”