Keeper blunder cost us dearly, admits Solskjaer
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER admitted that David De Gea blundered for Chelsea’s second goal as the Manchester United No 1 came under scrutiny again last night. The Old Trafford boss picked De Gea ahead of Sergio Romero — who had played in every other round of the FA Cup this season — and saw the Spaniard let in Mason Mount’s hopeful strike. ‘David knows he should have saved the second goal but that’s done now,’ said the United boss. Solskjaer also recalled Eric Bailly as United switched to a back-three, and he felt the Ivorian’s departure before half-time following a clash of heads with Kurt Zouma and team-mate Harry Maguire, affected United’s concentration. It certainly seemed to as they conceded either side of the break to Olivier Giroud and Mount. ‘After the blow to Eric’s head, we seemed to lose concentration and conceding the (Giroud) goal straight after that had a massive impact,’ added the United boss. ‘Eric is in hospital. He’s got a cut in the back of his head but 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 chance to go through and be ready for Wednesday but it didn’t work.’ Giroud remains on course to collect his fifth FA Cup winner’s medal next month. ‘I said to the boys I would love to win another one, my fifth,’ said the former Gunners star. ‘It’s a big game against Arsenal, which will be so special for me personally.’ Chelsea boss Frank Lampard paid tribute to Giroud who could have left the club in January. ‘He sets an amazing example,’ said Lampard. ‘Tammy (Abraham) was doing well and Olivier didn’t get many opportunities. He could have left but he had the most positive attitude possible and now he is getting his reward.’