Ole challenges his maturing United to make final cut
OLE GUNNAR Solskjaer says Manchester United have ‘no excuses’ ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup clash against Manchester City as they look to reach a cup final at the fourth time of asking.
Having lost to Pep Guardiola’s men in the final four of the competition last season, the Red Devils went on to go out at the semi-final stage in both the FA Cup and Europa League.
Solskjaer, though, is confident of taking the next step when they face City at an empty Old Trafford tonight.
‘The next game is always important but of course a semi-final is a chance to get to the final, to get your hands on a trophy in the next round and for this team it would be a very, very big step getting your hands on a trophy,’ the United manager said.
‘We’ve developed a lot in the last six months, last 12 months since the last semi in the Carabao Cup so of course it’s not just learning to win semis.
We’ve also earned the right to feel we can go all the way with our performances. We are confident, we are going into the game with good form so there are no excuses.’
Solskjaer won medals aplenty during his playing days at Old Trafford but has yet to pick up silverware since taking over as manager in December 2018.
‘Of course, you play football to win,’ said the Norwegian, whose side are level on points in the Premier League with leaders Liverpool.
‘You play football to win trophies, to get your hands on a trophy – even though when you win that trophy you move on to the next one.
‘But it gives you hunger to get more, so the squad is focused, we are ready to give it a go. I think we’ve prepared well for this game.’ United have had two more days than City – who beat Chelsea on Sunday – to prepare for tonight’s match, when they will only be without suspended striker Edinson Cavani and their long-term absentee Phil Jones.
‘You have two teams who want to get to the final,’ Solskjaer added. ‘We’ve had four days now after Villa so hopefully we’ve got more fresh legs.
‘Two teams that want to go through. I think the last game (December’s 0-0 draw) showed two teams with respect for each other.’
We’ve earned the right to feel we can go all the way with our performances