Players and fans building a connection
SOLSKJAER BELIEVES CROWD LOVE CURRENT GROUP
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer believes the connection between the United squad and supporters has grown following their 2-0 win over City.
The Reds recorded a first Premier League double against the Blues since 2009-10 through Anthony Martial’s first-half volley and a stoppage-time curler from Scott McTominay after an error by Ederson.
The United boss made seven changes from the side that strolled to a 3-0 victory at Derby County in the FA Cup fifth round on Thursday night and they are now unbeaten in 10.
The Reds could equal the 11-game undefeated run Solskjaer presided over at the start of his caretaker manager stint last year if they avoid defeat to LASK Linz on Thursday.
United switched to a back three against City and inflicted a third defeat on Pep Guardiola’s team this term. Only Solskjaer and Jurgen Klopp have enjoyed three wins against Guardiola in a single season.
“Off the ball, defensively we did excellently,” Solskjaer said. “Counter-attacking was excellent.
“We were dangerous. We would like to keep the ball more often and defend with the ball and keep them running more.
“But when you get the 1-0, we still created big enough chances to win more, but then David had a couple of saves as well and they had opportunities. But it’s one of the best ones, yeah.
“The result is always the desired factor – you are so happy with another win. Three points.
“The performance was almost as expected against them. You do know you have to defend well. They do play that type of football, that you have to drop deep at times.
“But I felt at times in the first half, when we put the press high up we made them make mistakes.
“The first 15 or 20 minutes were maybe harder than we should have made it but we started harrying them a bit more higher up and creating chances. We had some big ones. We have tried before to do that. The more you can keep them out of their rhythm and make them make mistakes gives you a better chance. But they are so good and Pep wants them to play out from the back.
“It is an absolute privilege to have players like this – the commitment, the desire, the hard work they put in, to be humble enough and the humility to know that they have to work their socks off.
“And that’s what the fans love about this group of players. I think the connection is there to be seen.”