LET’S PARTY
Solskjaer’s out to spark something special again
WITH the Champions League having slipped through his fingers, a repeat of Manchester United’s greatest season 22 years ago is already beyond Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But the United manager is hoping to channel the spirit of 1999 to keep hopes of a first domestic Double since those heady days when they face Liverpool tomorrow. Old Trafford will host another fourth-round FA Cup meeting between the two sides – as it did in January 1999, when Solskjaer’s injurytime winner in a 2-1 victory was the goal credited with igniting a fire at the club that culminated in that remarkable Treble.
Gary Neville has since spoken of that moment – when a fresh-faced Solskjaer was enveloped by jubilant team-mates – as the one that “started everything”.
“It was massive. That was the game. From then on everybody was right and everybody was at it,” the former United defender, inset, said on the 20th anniversary.
With Solskjaer’s side sitting top of the league, the United manager is hoping a win tomorrow can provide a similar spark.
Solskjaer said: “Of course, we can transpose a few things from that season. We know that there’s tight moments, very fine margins.
“We know in that season we were close to going out against Liverpool. In the semi-final [replay] against Arsenal, Peter Schmeichel saved a penalty from Dennis Bergkamp in injury-time.
“Those moments, I think they gave us the mental advantage, especially in the semi-final. But against Liverpool as well in that fourth round, when you get that boost of turning 1-0 down to a 2-1 win against a big team, it’s massive.”
Solskjaer had a magical touch in cup competitions. Injurytime goals, both that day and four months later in the Nou Camp against Bayern Munich to secure the Champions League, defined him.
He has enjoyed less success as a manager, with just one NM-Cup with Molde in 2013 to show from 15 attempts in Norway and England. In addition, Solskjaer has now reached four semifinals with United – in the Carabao Cup twice, FA Cup and Europa League – without making one final.
Burnley breaching Liverpool’s formidable Anfield fortress on Thursday, compounding the champions’ tailspin, might suggest now is a good time to play them. But Solskjaer cautioned: “We know it’s a difficult tie. I’m not the best on draws so I think they should try to get someone else in if they want an easy draw. We’ve picked one of the favourites and we know this is a big one if you want to go all the way.”