Manchester United legend praises Super Eagles ‘leader' Ndidi

Besiktas manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has heaped praise on Wilfred Ndidi as the Super Eagles star settles into life in Turkey.

Speaking ahead of his side’s UEFA Conference League playoff first-leg clash against Lausanne-Sport, the former Manchester United boss described Ndidi as a player of immense quality and character.

Solskjaer knows exactly what Ndidi brings to the table, having seen him up close during his time in England.

The Nigerian midfielder produced a commanding display when Leicester City stunned Manchester United 3-1 in the 2021 FA Cup quarterfinals, with Ndidi playing the full ninety minutes as Solskjaer’s men were dumped out of the competition.

Now, instead of being an obstacle, Ndidi is a key figure in his squad at Besiktas. Despite concerns over a knock suffered on his debut last weekend, Ndidi has travelled with the team to Switzerland and was even chosen to face the media ahead of the playoff tie, a clear indication of his importance.

During the pre-match press conference, Solskjaer was full of admiration for his new signing, saying, “A couple of words about Wilfred, he has answered well for himself.

“You see he’s a highly professional footballer, great human being and he gives us something that we haven’t had. I am very pleased to have him here, very pleased to have a leader like him, and he will contribute a lot to the team in the coming months and years, so I am very happy that we signed him.”

Ndidi, 28, joined Besiktas earlier this month, ending his eight-year stint in England, where he built a reputation as one of the Premier League’s finest defensive midfielders.

His arrival in Istanbul has been warmly welcomed, with Solskjaer making it clear that Ndidi’s leadership qualities and professionalism will be central to Besiktas’ ambitions this season.