STAR-TANGLED BANNERS
Ole claims home form hit by red kit clashing with stadium decor
MAN UTD V GRANADA 8PM
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has blamed Old Trafford’s red stands for Manchester United’s hit-and-miss home form.
Red screening banners and seats on the stadium’s lowest tiers have been swapped for black after United stars claimed they could not pick out their team-mates in red shirts.
And manager Solskjaer is hoping the switch during the international break yields a first home Europa League win of the season against Granada tonight to confirm their semi-final spot.
Solskjaer said he was uncomfortable making excuses. But United’s four Premier League losses this term have all come at home while they remain unbeaten on their travels.
He said: “There shouldn’t be a reason, really, but some of the players have mentioned that split-second decision you have to make, where you look over your shoulder to see if your team-mate is there or not, and the red shirt is on a red background with red seats.
“We’ve tried to change that along with the anti-racism campaign – it was important it wasn’t red any more.”
United’s anti-racism initiative has led to sections most visible to the cameras switching from red to black banners with white writing. But Solskjaer insisted the colour scheme was extended around the ground.
The issue carries echoes of Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous half-time switch from grey shirts to blue and white during a 1996 Premier League clash against Southampton at The Dell.
Yet, while on that occasion the change brought about marginal gains – United scoring the only goal of the second half in a 3-1 defeat – Solskjaer hopes for tangible reward tonight.
United go into the quarter-final second leg 2-0 up from the Granada leg, but they will be without the suspended Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay, while Eric Bailly is not fit.
And there are doubts over Marcus Rashford as he did not train yesterday due to a foot injury.
Solskjaer said: “It is never a positive thing not to have every player available but we’ve got players ready to come in.
“And we have a great foundation to play from and a good result, but we go in wanting to win.
“We know Granada will give it everything they’ve got, so we have to try to dominate the ball and score goals, like we always want to do.
“The momentum is big in football. If it goes for you, it goes for you so we just want to carry on.”