Solskjaer out to end Man Utd semi-final jinx against Roma
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has set his Manchester United side the target of ending their semi-final jinx as he looks to secure his first silverware as manager at Old Trafford.
The Norwegian’s side take on Roma today looking to make it fifth-time lucky at this stage after losing two League Cup semi-finals to Manchester City, and in the last four of the FA Cup and Europa League last season – to Chelsea and Sevilla, respectively.
Solskjaer has a further three quarter-final exits since replacing Jose Mourinho and he said he has analysed United’s near-misses in knockout competitions in his bid to win their first trophy since 2017.
He said: “We have done remarkably well to get to five semis in just a little bit more than a season. Now we want to go all the way. That would mean so much to the end of our season if we have a final to look forward to. We have looked at them and the reasons why but every semi-final is a tough one against tough teams. Some defeats you dwell on a little bit more, but it is about putting things right.
“When you come to the business end of the season, the main thing is being there and in and around the important games, being in good form and having confidence and belief, but also to have that bit of luck and quality that is needed.”
United’s owners, the Glazer family, were among the ringleaders of the doomed European Super League, but Solskjaer shrugged off suggestions the Europa League is unimportant to United. “We have had a great night in this tournament before [in 2017], and we know how much it means for the whole club,” he said.
Solskjaer faces a decision in goal. Dean Henderson has been his first choice recently but the displaced David de Gea kept clean sheets in both legs of the quarter-final against Granada.
The manager was non-committal. “I am the luckiest manager to have them,” he said. “We have been building clean sheets. Both Dean and David want to lift the trophy.”
One of United’s greatest European performances came against Roma, with Solskjaer a substitute in a 7-1 thrashing in the 2007 Champions League quarter-finals. “That night was magical,” Solskjaer said. “We showed what United can do. We want a performance like this again.”
Roma supporters have had a different grievance with Solskjaer, erecting banners in protest after he said he did not know much about the Serie A side. But the Norwegian insisted it was a throwaway remark: “It was not meant as any disrespect. I was just relieved we had gone through. We have analysed them since. They are a fantastic club with a great history.
“I have got two prize possessions back home, a [Francesco] Totti shirt and a [Daniele] De Rossi shirt I swapped with them, actually signed.”
Solskjaer faces a decision in goal. Henderson has been first choice but De Gea kept two clean sheets against Granada