SOLSKJAER: We’re not Gunnar panic!
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer has urged United supporters not to worry about the players’ attitude following their anodyne FA Cup defeat by Wolves.
The Reds produced what Solskjaer described as their ‘poorest performance’ from his 19 matches in caretaker charge to suffer a quarter-final elimination at Molineux, where the 2-1 loss flattered them.
Despite the sudden gloom, Solskjaer remained upbeat about United’s chances of finishing third in the league and their upcoming Champions League quarter-final with Barcelona.
“We’re ready to go again after the internationals,” Solskjaer replied when asked what his message would be to United fans.
“Man United in April and May always find our form, we can’t wait for the challenge for this and big nights like when Barcelona come, we’ve got so many highlights to look forward to.
“The players? Don’t worry about their attitude because when they come back again we’ll give it a good go.”
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer says he was blunt with his underperforming United players after they were ejected from the FA Cup by Wolves.
A listless United were deservedly beaten by Wolves at Molineux, where the Reds managed two attempts on target against Wolves’ second-choice goalkeeper John Ruddy.
United had only lost one of Solskjaer’s first 17 games in charge but have now suffered two successive reverses that have knocked them down to fifth in the Premier League and denied them their best hope of silverware this term.
For the second time in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, United could go two successive seasons without a trophy and although Solskjaer was reluctant to specify exactly what he said to the United players in the dressing room, he admitted he gave them a frank assessment.
“The truth,” Solskjaer said.
“I told them, not you. But, of course, you can’t sit down and sulk too long. We’re disappointed, everybody is disappointed, but we’ve got to look forward and put behind the result today.
“We know we’ve played well against Arsenal last week didn’t get what we deserved. But today we got what we deserved because we never deserved to win this game.” United won their first eight games under Solskjaer and their first mean- ingful defeat only came at Arsenal in their 18th match under the Norwegian, who disagreed momentum had dissipated.
“I think it’s something natural,” Solskjaer added.
“You cannot perform to the top of your level every single time, it’s still against a good team, don’t forget that.
“Wolves have done really well against top teams, don’t take anything away from them, even though we under-performed.
“So I don’t think that’s part of it at all.”
We got what we deserved because we never deserved to win this game Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on defeat at Wolves