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Tag: Solskjaer

  • Carabao Cup: Solskjaer rubbishes Cavani red card claims

    Carabao Cup: Solskjaer rubbishes Cavani red card claims

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has rubbished claims Edinson Cavani should’ve seen red in their Carabao Cup win against Everton.

    United booked their place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night as a late double from Cavani and Anthony Martial sealed their place in the last four of the competition.

    During the game, Cavani grabbed Yerry Mina by the throat and shoved him to the ground.

    The incident was missed by match officials and was not reviewed as there was no VAR in operation during the match.

    “Nothing in it,” Solskjaer told Sky Sports after the match. “Two South Americans that have had a few battles before, they met in Copa America qualifiers so, no, this was a proper game of football. With fans, tackles, yellow cards and chances at both ends, I enjoyed it.”

    Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti was also pressed on the controversial moment but admitted he had not seen it at the time.

    “I don’t know I didn’t see the situation with Yerry Mina,” the Italian said.

  • McTominay is a physical monster – Solskjaer

    McTominay is a physical monster – Solskjaer

    Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has heaped praise on midfielder Scott McTominay, who made Premier League history on Sunday with his quick-fire double against Leeds United.

    The Scotland international became the first player in the league’s history to score twice in the first three minutes of a match, getting United off to a perfect start at Old Trafford.

    McTominay’s brace put United on their way to a 6-2 victory, as Bruno Fernandes also scored a pair of goals while Victor Lindelof and Daniel James got on the scoresheet as well.

    “We’ve been criticised for our starts but the boys were prepared,” Solskjaer told BBC Radio 5 Live. “We’ve approached the game really well. We’ve looked at videos and looked at ways to exploit them but also ways to stop them hurting you. It was a great start.

    “Scott used to be a striker as a kid – he is a physical monster. He can win in the air, he wins tackles, but he’s so strong and he’s quick as well. He just ran into the space that we hoped he would get and it was good work by the other players to create the space and good finishes.

    “I have to stop Scott from doing that sometimes – he is an attacking midfielder by nature. But when he sees space in front of him, why stop him? But he’s great at shielding his back four.”

  • Solskjaer singles out ‘excellent’ Pogba after Man Utd win

    Solskjaer singles out ‘excellent’ Pogba after Man Utd win

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was delighted with Paul Pogba’s performance in United’s 3-2 win over Sheffield United on Thursday.

    Pogba set up Anthony Martial’s goal at Bramall Lane as United became the fourth side in English top-flight history to record 10 consecutive away league wins.

    Only Alex Telles (96) had more touches than Pogba (91), while the France international won three of his six aerial duels and gained possession eight times.

    Solskjaer praised the midfielder, who has been linked with a move away from the Premier League giants.

    “We made a decision. Of course, we know [Pogba’s] strength in the air. We knew he was going to be important for us. He won almost every single header,” he told a news conference.

    “His vision, creativity. Paul’s responded really well to the work he’s been doing. He’s fit now. Excellent performance.”

  • Man United could have defeated Sheffield more easily – Solskjaer

    Man United could have defeated Sheffield more easily – Solskjaer

    Manchester United Coach, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said their comeback win against Sheffield United could have come more easily.

    The Norwegian manager said this in his post-match interview stating that his players were a bit sloppy as they could have scored more.

    “It could have been more comfortable a couple reasons for that. We were a bit sloppy, we could have scored, we created some good chances.

    United had a night to remember at Bramall lane as they cruised easily from behind to beat Sheffield who sit bottom on the EPL table.

    Rashford, Bruno Fernandez, Pogba and Mason Greenwood all produced a spectacular performance to seal United’s win.

    The Red Devils have also climbed up the EPL table and now sit number six on the log with a game at hand.

    They face Leeds United in their next game on Sunday at Old Trafford.

  • Van der Vaart urges Van de Beek to get angry with Solskjaer

    Van der Vaart urges Van de Beek to get angry with Solskjaer

    Former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart has urged Donny van de Beek to get angry with Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

    The 23-year-old is yet to start a Premier League game – despite United’s poor start to the season.

    And Van der Vaart believes Van de Beek has to find out why after claiming that inferior players are getting into Solskjaer’s team.

    Van der Vaart raged: “Wait? Patience? Would you like it if you are stuck on the bench?

    “The players in front of you can’t even kick a marble and he (Solskjaer) still does not put you in the team.

    “I would not be happy. I would certainly not be enjoying my football there.

    “Look at the player Donny is and how he performs at international level. I would not have it.”

  • EPL: Solskjaer blows hot after Man Utd win

    EPL: Solskjaer blows hot after Man Utd win

    Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hit out at “authorities” after victory at Everton.

    United won 3-1 to ease pressure on the manager, who was fuming after playing a midday game after being away in Turkey for their Champions League defeat at Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday night.

    He snapped: “We were set up to fail. The kick-off time set us up to fail. We have been to Turkey, played loads of games this season already, we got back Thursday morning and we are playing Saturday lunchtime, it’s an absolute shambles.

    “These boys deserve better. Luke Shaw has got injured because of it. It’s a hamstring which might be a long one and Marcus Rashford might be struggling.

    “The authorities set us up for fail, who is responsible? We’ve had enough of that. Players this season, in these times, a pandemic, mentally and physically it’s draining. Let us play on a Sunday, there’s an international break after this, it’s a joke.”

    Edinson Cavani struck a first goal for the club in injury-time and Solskjaer added: “The players were brilliant. Cavani is getting better and better.”

  • I’m not about to fall like a house of cards – Solskjaer

    I’m not about to fall like a house of cards – Solskjaer

    Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is adamant he’s the right man for the job.

    United go to Everton tomorrow on the back of consecutive defeats.

    But Solskjaer is adamant he still believes in himself.

    “If I don’t trust my beliefs and values, who else will?” he said. “I don’t look at one or two results and fall like a house of cards.”

    Solskjaer says he is confident his players will react at Goodison Park.

    “We have to be tough mentally,” he said. “We are the best and biggest club in the world. (After Wednesday) we didn’t expect anything but criticism. It is how you deal with it.”

    Solskjaer says he has had ‘open and honest dialogue’ with senior club officials throughout his time as manager.

    He continued: “I’ve always had a good, open, honest dialogue with the club. They have shown strong leadership and good dialogue since I’ve come in.

    “It’s sunny in Manchester today and I don’t expect the wind to turn. There is always pressure and expectation. I grew up here and became a man at Manchester United.

    “I learned how to deal with the good and the bad times. You’re a top coach or manager when you win and a bad one when you lose.

    “I don’t look at one or two results and fall like a house of cards. It’s a setback, definitely. There has been too much made of not scoring against Arsenal or Chelsea, there has been pretty much nothing in those two games.

    “It’s not too long ago we were the best thing since sliced bread when you beat Leipzig and PSG. So there’s ups and downs in football and that’s just the way it has to be.”

  • Solskjaer explains benching Pogba in Champions League loss

    Solskjaer explains benching Pogba in Champions League loss

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says rotation was the reason for Paul Pogba’s benching in the loss to Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday.

    The Frenchman was brought on in the second-half but was unable to turn around the 2-1 scoreline.

    “It’s just man or game management [having Paul Pogba on the bench]. We’ve got loads of games, and we’ve just rotated a few names,” Solskjaer told BT Sport.

    “We want to go and win the game. We’ve had a great start in the group, and if we can go and win tonight that’s a good response from the disappointment at the weekend.”

  • EPL: Solskjaer slams Man Utd players after Arsenal defeat

    EPL: Solskjaer slams Man Utd players after Arsenal defeat

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was highly critical of his players after Sunday’s loss to Arsenal.

    The Red Devils looked completely flat as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s second-half penalty was enough to seperate the two sides.

    The loss leaves United languishing in 15th after seven matches, and their manager was not a happy man after the game.

    “In the first half, we never turned up,” Solskjaer said. “The intensity, the tempo wasn’t there, the shape – they were better than us and created a couple of half-decent chances.

    “In the second half, they didn’t look like they were going to score, apart from the penalty. So we played better in the second half but still we have to turn up with more intensity.”

    On why his team didn’t perform, Solskjaer added: “There are many reasons. Of course, but it might be a reason when you play well and you think you take your foot off the pedal.

    “But that’s not how it works because this was a big game and they’re a very good team. You have to be absolutely spot-on with everything. When you’re late in the tackle, they get away from you and you give a foul away. We weren’t at the races.”

  • Solskjaer surprises Fernandes with Man Utd captaincy

    Solskjaer surprises Fernandes with Man Utd captaincy

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer surprised Bruno Fernandes at a joint media conference by announcing he would captain Manchester United against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday after hailing the Portuguese’s recent impact.

    Fernandes has been a revelation since his arrival from Sporting in the January transfer window, scoring 12 goals in 22 appearances across all competitions during the second half of the 2020-21 season.

    He also ended the campaign as the club’s joint highest goal creator in the Premier League, sitting alongside Marcus Rashford with seven assists.

    With Harry Maguire absent for United’s Champions League clash in Paris, Solskjaer had no hesitation in giving the captain’s armband to Fernandes after his impressive start to life as a United player.

    “Bruno has come in and had great impact with all the stats showing that,” he rold reporters ahead of the clash in Paris.

    “His performances have been receiving real great praise as well. He has not changed the team, but he has sparked the team.”