0/34 OLE: IT’S NOT A LOST CAUSE
Solskjaer upbeat despite tall order in Paris
SUCH is the turnaround at Manchester United since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returned to the club that you were inclined to believe him yesterday when he strode into the Parc des Princes and declared: ‘It’s never mission impossible.’
The facts tell a more sobering side to the story, however, as United face Paris Saint-Germain this evening looking to overturn a 2-0 home defeat in the first leg at Old Trafford three weeks ago.
No team in the history of the European Cup or Champions League has recovered from this position to progress in 64 years and 106 attempts. It gets worse. If United are to reach the quarter-finals, they must do it without the suspended Paul Pogba and no fewer than nine first-team players who were not fit to travel with the rest of the squad from Manchester yesterday.
The 20-man party included five teenagers with six first-team appearances between them, all as substitute.
If a full-strength United couldn’t beat PSG at Old Trafford, then what chance have they got tonight?
Typically, Solskjaer was intent on talking up their chances, and believes that scoring the first goal could plant a seed of doubt in the minds of the French champions.
‘It’s never mission impossible,’ said the Norwegian before referencing Barcelona’s stunning comeback from 4-0 to beat PSG in 2017. ‘The results in the Champions League the past few years have been strange. There are many examples of teams that can change results like this,’ he added.
‘Of course, it’s more difficult but we have got to get the first goal and then anything can happen.
‘Football is a tactical and technical game but it’s also mental. Goals change games. If we score they might start doubting themselves. We’ll never approach any game as a lost cause. The outside pressure is off and everyone expects us to go out easily, but that doesn’t happen with United players. Our pride was hurt the last time we played them so you’re going to see players who will give their all. Let’s hope PSG underperform.
‘When no one believes in you there’s always that little bit of character we have to show. Making history is the motivation, it’s going through. These players are not used to losing. At our best we can match them. As a club we’ve done it so many times. The players have been fantastic away from home, beating Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, which has given us the belief we can do this as well.’
Some more sobering facts, however. Solskjaer may have won all eight away games as interim manager, but United have only prevailed in a single knockout tie in the Champions League since losing the final to Barcelona in 2011, defeating Olympiacos in March 2014.
And, if the plan tonight hinges on stopping PSG and Kylian Mbappe from scoring, it’s worth noting that their opponents have found the net in 23 consecutive Champions League games since losing 1-0 in the 2016 quarterfinals to Manchester City.
Neymar — currently partying at the Rio Carnival — remains sidelined but Edinson Cavani has an outside chance of making the squad after returning to training.
The injury news for United is not quite so positive and Solskjaer confirmed that the club’s latest casualty, Alexis Sanchez, will be out for up to six weeks with ankle ligament damage. He is missing 10 senior players.
‘It’s just one of those situations that we come into,’ he added. ‘We’ve lost a few players but we’ll cope and have a good team.
‘Every young player must have the belief to make it and tomorrow night might be a chance for some of the young ones.’
History might not be on United’s side exactly, but PSG’s German coach Thomas Tuchel didn’t need reminding that it is 20 years since Solskjaer inspired his club to a famous comeback win over Bayern Munich in the final in Barcelona.
‘It’s better to always be aware of the qualities of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer,’ smiled Tuchel. ‘He was one of the key players of the biggest era of this club; devoted to the team and ready to help.
‘This is the spirit that made him big, and this is the spirit that, for me, would describe Manchester United. They are a strong club with a strong history. We have to accept that these guys are ready for anything and will believe.’
Meanwhile, Solskjaer admitted his Molde contract has expired. ‘I’m not sure how it works,’ he said. ‘I think I’m now under contract with United. We need a new contract there (at Molde).’