Solskjaer hails ‘resilient’ Man Utd ...as Man City kept waiting for title

MANCHESTER United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised his team’s “resilience” after they put Manchester City’s Premier League title celebrations on hold by coming from behind to win 3-1 away to Aston Villa.

Defeat for United in the first of a run of three games in five days would have seen City crowned champions.

Moreover, their local rivals had reason to be optimistic when Villa’s Bertrand Traore opened the scoring midway through the first half.

However, United hit back with two goals in four minutes after the break, with Bruno Fernandes equalising from the penalty spot before Mason Greenwood put them ahead.

United wrapped up the win – thanks to substitute Edinson Cavani’s goal three minutes from time.

Victory left second-placed United 10 points behind leaders City, with 12 still on offer to the Red Devils from their final four league games.

United, however, face Leicester and Liverpool in the coming week and defeat in either of those matches will see City, beaten 2-1 at home by Chelsea on Saturday, crowned champions before Pep Guardiola’s men are away to Newcastle on Friday.

“A great result and it takes a little bit of pressure away from having to get results because the next two are against very good teams,” Solskjaer told the BBC.

The Norwegian made four changes to the side, beaten 3-2 by Roma in Thursday’s Europa League semifinal second leg, a result that still saw United go through 8-5 on aggregate, with Dean Henderson, Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford all coming into the side.

Solskjaer was pleased by the way United had coped with both a congested schedule and then falling behind at Villa Park.

“It shows character, resilience, belief and fitness,” he said.

“It is difficult at times, especially when you travel back and don’t get home until 5:00 am (0400 GMT) Friday and then travel here.”

United kicked off having not lost a Premier League match at Villa Park since 1995, a year before current manager Solskjaer joined the club as a striker.