Solskjaer’s full of praise for his two front men
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer reserved praise for Odion Ighalo and Anthony Martial after United reached the FA Cup semifinals for the third time in five seasons.
Ighalo opened the scoring at Norwich City and challenged for the loose ball that was finished by Harry Maguire for the late winner in extra-time.
Loanee Ighalo now has five goals in four United starts and his loan extension allowed Solskjaer to rest Martial, who came on in extra-time as United went to two up front after Norwich defender Timm Klose was sent off.
“It’s great to have the option to rotate,” Solskjaer told the BBC.
“Anthony has done really well, Anthony came on and did brilliant, created chances. But Odion gives me a chance to rest Anto and is a proven goalscorer.
“And today he has played a part in both goals and is great to have around the dressing room.”
Solskjaer played almost exactly the same side that beat Derby County in the FA Cup fifth round 116 days earlier and the eight changes affected United’s flat performance at Carrow Road. Solskjaer accepted the rotation had compromised United’s fluidity.
“Yes, it will do,” he added. “I didn’t make it easy for them. We’ve had two days to prepare for this game even though the same team, more or less, played against Derby, it’s a few months ago. The rhythm and tempo weren’t there but we’re through. Happy with that.
“We did make many changes, we still think the players who played 120 minutes are fit enough to play on Tuesday.
“The game was not the greatest, not a spectacle, but I felt we kept the ball okay but didn’t threaten enough, didn’t create chances. But delighted to be in a semi-final, a good workout, got minutes into many players, rested quite a few, some nice goals, and good for Harry to get a winner.
“Many of these [starters] didn’t play, some played in the last game, Derby, LASK, they’ve had 90 or 120 minutes under the belt, we’re through, that’s all that matters. We’ve been drawn away in every round so we’ve done well.”