SOLSKJAER: INJURIES HURT US
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER admitted David De Gea blundered for Chelsea’s second goal as the Manchester United No 1 came under scrutiny again last night. Solskjaer picked De Gea ahead of Sergio Romero — who had played in every other round of the FA Cup this season — and saw the Spaniard commit another error, letting in Mason Mount’s hopeful strike. ‘David knows he should have saved the second goal but that’s done now,’ said the United boss. ‘I can’t speak for his confidence but he is mentally very strong. He knows he should save that one 100 times out of 100 but that’s football for you. ‘I made the decision to play him and mentally he was ready for it.’ Solskjaer also recalled Eric Bailly as United switched to a back-three, and he felt the Ivorian’s departure before half-time, following clashes of heads with Kurt Zouma and then team-mate Harry Maguire, affected United’s concentration as they conceded either side of the break to Olivier Giroud and Mount. ‘The blow to Eric’s head when Harry and Eric stayed down for a long time, we seemed to lose concentration for a little while and conceding the (Giroud) goal straight after that had a massive impact,’ added the United boss. ‘Eric is in hospital going through all the routine checks and protocols. He got a cut on the back of his head, too, so I don’t know (how bad it is).’ United are still competing with Chelsea for a top-four place and face West Ham at home in midweek. Solskjaer added: ‘We picked the team today to give us the best possible opportunity to go through in the Cup and be ready for Wednesday. It didn’t work today.’ Giroud remains on course to collect his fifth FA Cup winner’s medal with Chelsea and Arsenal, who will contest the final on August 1. ‘I said to the boys I would love to win another one, it would be my fifth and we are in another final,’ said the Frenchman. ‘It’s a big game against Arsenal, which will be so special for me personally. United didn’t create much.’ Chelsea boss Frank Lampard paid tribute to Giroud, who could easily have left the club in January. ‘He sets an amazing example,’ said Lampard. ‘Take the story of his season. Tammy (Abraham) was doing well and Olivier didn’t get many opportunities. He kept training and could have left but didn’t. He had the most positive attitude possible. Now he is getting the rewards he deserves and I have a player who is scoring regularly.’