Forget the 6-1 thrashing, Solskjaer urges United
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told his players to keep cool heads when they play Tottenham Hotspur today as they look to avenge a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Jose Mourinho’s side in the reverse fixture.
France international Anthony Martial was sent off in the 28th minute in the humiliating October defeat at Old Trafford after retaliating to an elbow from Erik Lamela with a push in the Argentine’s face.
Solskjaer says Martial was “conned” into reacting and he does not want to see a repeat in London as they look to put their club record-equalling defeat in the Premier League era firmly behind them.
“We didn’t look anything like [them] and we got conned into a red card and that’s something we have to be aware of,” Solskjaer said.
“We can’t react, because in games there’ll be situations where you’ll be wound up, we’ve learnt from that.”
However, Spurs boss Mourinho said that result should have no bearing on this weekend, with United already proving it was nothing more than a blip.
United have since recovered to move 11 points clear of sixth-placed Spurs to sit second in the league standings.
“I believe that 6-1 doesn’t reflect the reality. It can happen. Of course it can happen, between two great [teams], the results they can happen in an isolated way,” former United manager Mourinho said.
“I go more in the direction of the other two previous matches between the two of us.
“We lost 2-1 at Old Trafford, with the penalty, and we drew 1-1 at home last season, also with a penalty. I think this is more the reality. We are not far from each other so I think it is going to be a difficult match for both.
“I think the players will remember that game with a lot of pain and their pride has been hurt. Pre-season was short... but we were so poor and I’m sure we’ll see some players wanting to prove we’re better than that.”
● West Ham host Leicester today in another match for top four places. —