Solskjaer: I was pretty confident he’d score it

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER revealed that Bruno Fernandes began plotting Liverpool’s downfall after learning he was being left out of Manchester United’s team for yesterday’s fourth round clash. The decision to start Fernandes on the bench allowed United’s talisman to put in extra free-kick practice in training on Saturday, and it paid off with a 78th-minute winner at Old Trafford. ‘Great goal, good free-kick,’ said Solskjaer (left). ‘Wherever he starts he doesn’t stay out. He’s never happy with me when I tell him to go inside after training. ‘But he knew he wasn’t starting so he stayed out practising for 45 minutes yesterday and it worked. I was pretty confident he could score one if he got the chance.’ Fernandes, who received advice from team-mate Edinson Cavani about where to place the free-kick, claims he is living the dream at United as he approaches his first anniversary at Old Trafford. ‘I work a lot on these kinds of goals, free-kicks. I tried this one and it went well,’ he said. ‘The most important thing was going to the next round and it doesn’t matter who scores. If I score I’m happy, for sure. ‘When I arrived this was everything. To play for this big club in the Premier League, it’s a dream come true.’ Victory earned United a fifth-round tie at home to West Ham and also saw Solskjaer’s side beat one of their main rivals for the first time in any competition this season. Having been criticised for an over-cautious approach in a goalless draw in the league at Anfield a week earlier, the United boss was much happier with the outcome this time. ‘It’s fantastic to win games over last year’s champions,’ he added. ‘We played on our terms and we found a way the players believe in. ‘We are getting stronger and stronger — we had the mentality to come back after being 1-0 down — and physically stronger too. ‘Look at the difference to six months back. We’re getting better and winning tight games. The morale and confidence is very good. Everyone is elated and on a high. ‘It’s a good feeling to play on our terms. We’ve had some good results, gone with a diamond or 3-5-2 to nullify the opponents. Today we had a positive selection, and that’s the statement to ourselves. ‘It’s a confidence boost that we can match the best with our style of football.’