Ole Gunnar Solskjær has said David de Gea will not be dropped at Huddersfield despite his poor recent form. The Manchester United manager added, though, that the goalkeeper’s deputy, Sergio Romero, is injured.

De Gea has made a series of high-profile mistakes as talk about his future continues, with last weekend’s error allowing Chelsea an equaliser in a 1-1 draw that was a blow to United’s top-four hopes. However Solskjær confirmed the Spaniard will play on Sunday, as Romero has a knee problem.

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“Sergio was injured yesterday so he didn’t train,” Solskjær said. “He tweaked his knee and David’s been training well this week.

“Of course we trust [David], he’s been fantastic this season. Towards the end he’s been in the headlines maybe for the wrong reasons, but, as I’ve said so many times, he has to deal with that.

“The goalkeeping department are a fantastic group together, with Emilio [Álvarez, the goalkeeping coach], Sergio, Lee [Grant] and David. They’ve been such a tight-knit group, so they’ve experienced better times obviously than just now but he’s ready for Sunday.”

Asked if Romero would have started at Huddersfield if he had been fit, Solskjær replied: “Ifs and buts are hypothetical questions. Sergio knows how highly I rate him.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Ole Gunnar Solskjær believes Manchester United can still attract players even without Champions League football. Photograph: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

The manager has plenty of injury worries for the trip to West Yorkshire. Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard were absent from Wednesday’s partly open training session, but Marcus Rashford was involved after overcoming a shoulder problem. Eric Bailly will be missing because of a season-ending medial ligament injury, while Solskjær also ruled out Mason Greenwood.

“We’ve got a few niggles and a few injuries,” said Solskjær. “We’ve still got two days, today and tomorrow, to see who gets on the pitch. We missed a few last week.”

United desperately need a result after losing seven of their last 10 matches in all competitions. They are sixth, three points off the top four with two games remaining, and facing the prospect of trying to attract elite players without Champions League football next term.

“In the long-term planning, we have to think about we might be in the Champions League next year because we’ve got a chance,” Solskjær said.

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“If it’s a season without the Champions League, who knows? But players still want to come to Manchester United. You would be surprised how many agents have been touting their players ... not touting, that’s not the best word, is it?

“It’s just like telling us that their players, their clients, would love to be a part of Manchester United in the future. They know, with the potential here, the size of the club, that we will get back to good days.

“We’re having a tough time at the moment. We’ve had a few seasons that we’ve not got up to the standards we expect. But that’s up to me, up to the club that we change it as quick as possible”.

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Noise around transfers is increasing as the summer edges closer – as is talk around United’s search for a technical director, with Rio Ferdinand among the names reportedly being considered.

“I’ll have a final say if players come in or go out, and we’ve got regular meetings,” Solskjær said. “I’m happy with the way it’s going.”

“We’re supposed to sign 250 players because you are all writing about players that we should sign,” he added. “Hopefully we can get players in that you haven’t written about as well, you never know.”

Huddersfield set to be sold to lifelong supporter

Huddersfield have announced that a commercial agreement is in place for the sale of the club to lifelong supporter Phil Hodgkinson.

Sunday’s fixture with Manchester United will therefore be Dean Hoyle’s last as chairman, with the club’s takeover subject to approval from the authorities.

Hodgkinson is to succeed Hoyle after the latter’s largely successful 10-year tenure, in which the club spent two years in the Premier League before their recent relegation back to the Championship. He will take a 75% controlling ownership, with Hoyle retaining a minority stake and remaining on Huddersfield’s board of directors.

“My heart doesn’t want me to sell and I believe the Manchester United game will probably be the most emotional day of my life,” said Hoyle. “However, my head is telling me that, after 10 years of total dedication and my recent ill health, I need to do what is right for myself, my family and Huddersfield Town.

“I have chosen Phil not just because he is an astute businessman with strong desire and determination to succeed, but because as ‘one of our own’ he will always have the club’s best interests at heart.”

Hodgkinson has backed manager Jan Siewert. He said: “My number one priority is to give every support I can to Jan in order to make us as good as we can be on the pitch. Our aim is to get back to winning football matches and to put smiles back on the faces of our supporters after a tough season.”