Solskjaer pays tribute to Royals after narrow win
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer joined Sir Matt Busby in winning his first five matches at the Manchester United helm, but the caretaker boss conceded the win against Reading flattered his side.
The post-jose Mourinho era continued with a fifth successive win, when Juan Mata’s spot-kick was followed by a composed Romelu Lukaku finish in the first half of their third-round tie.
The victory against Reading secured Solskjaer’s place in the United history books, yet it was their most unconvincing display to date.
The decision to make nine changes saw the home side toil against the well-drilled Royals and the Norwegian held his hands up afterwards.
“It was always going be difficult with my team selection,” Solskjaer said.
“I made it hard for the players to be fair on them because it’s a team that’s never played together.
“Some players like Matteo (Darmian) played out of position, but I thought he was excellent. Reading made it difficult for us.
“We never had a kick in the first five minutes, they just kept possession and we weren’t cohesive enough in the pressing.
“That happens when you don’t have a team that doesn’t play together as much. We didn’t have too much time to work.
“The pleasing thing is we’re through and it’s another clean sheet. 2-0 flatters us because I think they played some great stuff, then MANCHESTER UNITED:
Romero 6; Dalot 6, Young 6, Darmian 7, Jones 6; Fred 5 (Fellaini 62, 5), Mctominay 7, Pereira 6; Mata 6 (Ching 62, 6), Lukaku 7, Sanchez 5 (Rashford 64, 6). Unused subs – Lindelof, Martial, Grant, Garner.
READING:
Jaakola 6; Yiadom 6, Richards 6, Ilori 5 (Aluko 46, 6), Moore 7; Kelly 6, Rinomhota 7; Mccleary 6 (Barrow 61, 5), Swift 5, Harriott 7 (Meite 76, 6), Loader 6. Unused subs – O’shea, Gunter, Walker, East.
again we could have had three or four towards the end.
“The second goal was excellent with Alexis (Sanchez) getting Romelu in. Individual quality managed to get us through.”
The video assistant referee’s intervention led to the opening goal from Mata, although the lengthy delay and lack of communication inside Old Trafford highlighted the issues that still need resolving.
“From where I sat it was a clear penalty, so I didn’t need VAR there,” Solskjaer said. “But then they were probably checking if it was offside or not, probably was.”
Solskjaer’s squad hot-footed it to the airport after the game, with the side heading to Dubai for a warmweather training camp ahead of next Sunday’s return to Premier League action at Tottenham.
Sanchez will need treatment ahead of the trip to Wembley, with the forward’s first start under the
Norwegian ending with a hamstring issue flaring up.
“How was Alexis? Hopefully OK,” he said. “He was feeling his hamstring, but he should have told me one minute before because I made two subs.
“Hopefully he’ll be OK for next weekend.”
While United continue to fight on three fronts, Reading can now focus on their relegation scrap with renewed confidence.
“Looking to the performance, I am very proud of what my players did,” recently-appointed manager Jose Gomes, looking for his first win, said.
“It’s not easy to come from the situation we are in and show the intensity and courage, and good ideas, positive ideas, positive football.
“We got 61% of ball possession. We have four, five corners, they have just one, so we produce.
“We are missing a killer instinct.” A terrific performance from
On his first start in two years he drove the Royals on.