Competition has given boss chance to win trophy and help youngsters’ development

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is determined to make the most of these strange circumstances and lift the Europa League at the end of a competition that has provided the “perfect” platform for Manchester United’s development.

After trips to Holland, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Belgium and Austria, the Red Devils have arrived in Germany searching for continental silverware in a new-look finaleight tournament.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, empty stadiums will play host to single-leg ties in a frantic period in North RhineWestphalia, where United kick off the mini-tournament with a quarter-final against FC Copenhagen in Cologne tonight.

The United squad will have to stay in a bubble as long as they remain in the competition, with Solskjaer hoping they can go all the way to the final on August 21.

“I think it is strange and it is not football as it should be

– I think it’s changed a little bit,” said the United boss, who did his study visit with Copenhagen counterpart Stale Solbakken when doing his pro licence in 2011.

“That little bit of passion and edge to the game is missing because the fans have got to be there.

“But I have to commend our players. They’ve handled the situation really well and I know our fans can’t wait to get back to Old Trafford and support us.

“We’ll just have to try to make the most of this Europa

League now and hopefully get as far as we can, so they are looking forward even more to seeing the players.”

Solskjaer’s determination to win his first trophy as manager is clear, but United’s thirdplaced Premier League finish and subsequent Champions League qualification has eased the pressure.

And, while every season away from European football’s top table is a gut punch for the Old Trafford giants, Solskjaer believes this Europa League campaign has aided his side’s development.

“We went into this season knowing the Europa League is a great chance for us, one, to get a trophy, to get far in a tournament,” Solskjaer said.

“But also to groom a few of the youngsters and it was perfect for us.

“I think if we’d been in the Champions League this season – of course we all want to be in the Champions League – I probably or maybe wouldn’t have had the chance to play the likes of Brandon [Williams] as much as we have, Mason [Greenwood] – so many of the young kids who have now started what’s going to be fantastic careers. The Europa League has also been about that as well.

“It’s about keeping the squad together, have a group that is working together and giving people chances. When they take them – Brandon is going to play in a quarter-final in the Europa League. It’s a great achievement for him this season and it’s perfect for us.”

Williams will start with Luke Shaw absent through injury, while Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are the only other first-team players sidelined.

Solskjaer has a decision to make when it comes to goalkeeper, with Sergio Romero tending to play in this competition instead of first choice David de Gea.

Longer term there is another headache to deal with given how Dean Henderson has shone on loan at Sheffield United.

“That’s an obvious question because I think I must be the most privileged manager in the world with the goalkeeping department,” Solskjaer said. “We’ve got Sergio, David and we’ve got Dean Henderson as well coming back, so you’ve got three top, top keepers. This season has shown again how important Sergio has been for us and, for me, also David’s been always performing there.

“So, we’ll see what we do for the rest of the season and going forward. Difficult, yeah, of course it is. But that’s a nice problem to have.”

I must be the most privileged manager in the world

Danish capital – the striker’s last season before retiring and moving into coaching.

The 47-year-old spent time shadowing Solbakken in 2011 at Copenhagen, who the United manager was linked to after his compatriot spent stints at the helm of Cologne, where this match is being held, and Wolves before returning to Denmark.

“We are friends from the national team in the 90s, where Norway was the second-best team in the world,” said Solbakken, who has former United full-back Guillermo Varela in his squad.

“You won’t believe that! We were ranked No.2 in the world, so we played in a World Cup together.

“He took his coaching badge and I think he came to me before the last-16 against Chelsea in the Champions League in 2011.

“We have a good relationship. We are not close friends but I can say we are good friends.”

Asked who is the better Norwegian coach, Solbakken said: “I don’t know who is the best but I know that he is now in charge of one of the biggest clubs in the world. “At this moment in time it is difficult to compare us. As a Norwegian we should – even me as a Liverpool fan – be proud that we have a manager in one of the biggest clubs in the world and that he has been able to steady the ship and been able to put his authority into the club.”