CATASTROPHE
It’s turf going for Ole
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER slammed the artificial pitch for tonight’s Europa League tie as one of the worst he has seen – and said he could not risk Paul Pogba on it.
Manchester United’s Dutch opponents AZ Alkmaar are playing all their games at Den Haag’s ground after a partial stand collapse at their own stadium.
Pogba stayed behind for treatment on an ankle problem but the United boss said he would not have risked his star even if he was fit – because of the pitch.
“I’m surprised they’ve chosen to play the match on this pitch when I look at it,” said Solskjaer.
“I’m used to astroturf pitches from back in Norway and this one is not the best I’ve seen.
“It’s one of the worst I’ve seen for a long while. We’ve all got standards in Norway and they’re all modern and new but this one is not the newest and it seems like it’s been used a lot.”
Midfielder Pogba was out for threeand-a-half weeks before playing in United’s Carabao Cup penalty shootout win over Rochdale and their 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Monday. United’s club record £89m signing is a doubt for Sunday’s trip to Newcastle but Solskjaer will give him every chance of making it.
“After discussions with specialists, Paul needs further treatment and rest on his ankle,” Solskjaer added.
“But I probably wouldn’t have risked him on the astroturf here, even if he was available to play.”
United are under pressure to produce a commanding win tonight after they sneaked past Astana of Kazakhstan 1-0 at Old Trafford in their opening tie. But United have not won away since their epic 3-1 Champions League win at Paris St-Germain on March 6 – a result which effectively clinched the job for Solskjaer.
United have looked way off par recently and scored just seven goals in their last eight games, but Solskjaer was flippant when asked how to solve the goal drought and how concerned he was about the poor away form.
“We have to hit the ball between the posts,” said Solskjaer when asked about the lack of goals – his attempt at humour falling on deaf ears.
“You keep talking about concerns but we’re a good team. We’ve played some very good away games, so let’s hope I can sit here tomorrow and you ask a different question.”